Welcome to the second installment of our monthly update on what's happening at the Institute, from DC to Aspen, and New York to Wye River. It's a quick glance at what's coming up in the next few months, accompanied by links to recent reports and video from past events.

We hope you continue to find this useful.

Best regards,
Jim Spiegelman
VP, Communications and Public Affairs

Coming Soon:

The Aspen Health Stewardship Project will release the presidential candidates' responses to a campaign questionnaire on health care reform at a briefing and luncheon in the Russell Senate Office Building, Room 385, on Wednesday, May 14, from noon to 1 p.m. The event is free and all are welcome. Website: http://www.aspenhealthstewardship.com. Washington, DC—May 14, 2008.

Conversations on Presidential Leadership: "What Makes a Successful President?" featuring Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, former presidential advisor David Gergen, and moderator Brian Williams of NBC Nightly News. By invitation only. Contact: Miyuki Arikawa, miyuki.arikawa@aspeninstitute.org. New York City—May 19, 2008.

PIC-Palestine-2008: A business conference to be held in Bethlehem, the event will focus on attracting private sector investment to Palestine to create job growth and stimulate the Palestinian economy. Website: http://www.pic-palestine.ps. Bethlehem—May 21—23, 2008.

Aspen Seminar: The Institute's signature seminar (formerly the "Executive Seminar") brings a diverse group of accomplished participants together to engage in a Socratic exploration of classic and contemporary texts about leadership, values, and the good society. Applications open to the public. Contact: Charlene Costello, charlene.costello@aspeninstitute.org or (410) 820-5374. Website: http://www.aspeninstitute.org/aspenseminar. Aspen, CO—May 31—June 5, July 12—17, August 16—21, September 6—11; Wye, MD—June 21—26, October 25—30.

The Roundtable on Community Change Hosts First Thursdays, casual but informative gatherings of friends and colleagues in the urban affairs and community change fields. First Thursdays will provide the opportunity to learn about new developments in research, policy, and programs, and participate in informal exchange. Contact: Gretchen Susi, gretchens@aspenroundtable.org or (212) 677-5510 x31. New York City—First Thursday of every month.

High School Argument & Debate Workshop: Students will come away from this workshop with enhanced research skills and a greater understanding of what constitutes 'best evidence' on an issue. Perhaps most important, students will seek to base argumentation and debate strategies in points of agreement and a commitment to civil discourse. Register: www.aspeninstitute.org/communityevents. Aspen, CO—June 10—12, 2008.

Aspen Book Series in NYC: Featuring Institute Vice President and Executive Director of the Aspen Institute-Rodel Fellowships in Public Leadership Mickey Edwards, author of Reclaiming Conservatism: How a Great American Political Movement Got Lost – And How It Can Find Its Way Back (Oxford University Press). Contact: Neela Pal, neela.pal@aspeninstitute.org. New York City—June 17, 2008.

Alma and Joseph Gildenhorn Book Series: Featuring Julia Reed, author of The House on First Street: My New Orleans Story (Ecco). Contact: Stacey Loomis, stacey.loomis@aspeninstitute.org. Washington, DC—June 24, 2008.

McCloskey Speaker Series: "Hiroshima's Shadow: The First Nuclear World and Ours," with Martin J. Sherwin, Pulitzer Prize—winning co-author of American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Knopf) and Professor of History at George Mason University. Tickets available on June 11. SOF reservations: (970) 544-7980. Public tickets ($10): www.aspenshowtickets.com or (970) 920-5770. Aspen, CO—June 24, 2008.

Socrates Society Seminars: Contemporary issues for emerging leaders. Topics include media and values, ethnic conflict, foreign aid and morality, sexuality, and leadership. Contact: Lu Duong, lu.duong@aspeninstitute.org or (202) 736-1497. Aspen, CO—June 27—30, 2008.

The Aspen Ideas Festival: Speakers for the 2008 Aspen Ideas Festival, which is produced in partnership with The Atlantic, are now featured online at http://www.aifestival.org. Festival passes are sold out, but single event tickets will go on sale in late June. Aspen, CO—June 30—July 6, 2008.

Justice & Society Seminar: This seminar explores what we mean by justice and how a society balances competing private, public, and global concerns. Moderators include Judge Margaret McKeown of the 9th Circuit and Yale Law Professor Drew S. Days (July 11-17), and Judge Rosemary Barkett of the 11th Circuit and Harvard Law Dean Elena Kagan (July 18-24). Contact: Michael Doyle, justice@aspeninstitute.org. Aspen, CO—July 11—17 and July 18—24.

Enchantment in Tunes and Tales: The Arts & Ideas Series presents a public forum that will reflect on the wonders of Hans Christian Andersen and the role of enchantment and story-telling in life. With panelists Diana and Jeffrey Frank, Alan Fletcher, and James Conlon, and in collaboration with the Aspen Music Festival & School. SOF donors and Enchantment symposium participants free, but RSVPs required. Public tickets ($10): www.aspenshowtickets.com or (970) 920-5770. Aspen, CO—July 12, 2008.

McCloskey Speaker Series: "Iraq: A Perspective Five Years Later," featuring Ambassador Tom Korologos, a former senior counselor with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad and former US Ambassador to Belgium, interviewed by Berl Bernhard, partner at DLA Piper Rudnick LLP, chairman of the Middle East Investment Initiative, and chairman emeritus of the Aspen Institute. Tickets available on July 2. SOF reservations: (970) 544-7980. Public tickets ($10): www.aspenshowtickets.com or (970) 920-5770. Aspen, CO—July 15, 2008.

Nigerian Leadership Discussion: Nigerian leaders participating in the Nigeria Leadership Initiative will be featured in a dialogue moderated by Aspen Institute Executive Vice President Peter Reiling. Free and open to the public; Doerr-Hosier Center, 5:30 p.m. Aspen, CO—July 16, 2008.

McCloskey Speaker Series: "What's in a Title?" with Christopher Buckley, an American political satirist and former chief speechwriter for Vice President George H.W. Bush. Tickets available on July 9. SOF reservations: (970) 544-7980. Public tickets ($10): www.aspenshowtickets.com or (970) 920-5770. Aspen, CO—July 22, 2008.

Live Webcast of "His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Aspen: A Celebration of Tibetan Culture": The Aspen Institute and co-chairs Margot Pritzker and Richard Blum, in collaboration with the Conservancy for Tibetan Art and Culture, are proud to host a substantive symposium that embraces Tibetan and Himalayan art, culture, science, medicine, spiritual practice, and history. The event will be webcast live at http://www.aspeninstitute.org. Online—July 26, 2008.

Socrates Society Benefit Dinner: "Campaign 2008: The Road to The White House." Featuring CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer who will be interviewed by Institute President and CEO Walter Isaacson at a reception and program to benefit the Socrates Society Scholarship Fund. For tickets and more information, contact Francesca Craig, francesca.craig@aspeninstitute.org, (202) 467-2289. Aspen, CO – July 28, 2008.

McCloskey Speaker Series: Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State, and Walter Isaacson, Institute president and CEO, will discuss issues of the day and her new book, Memo to the President Elect: How We Can Restore America’s Reputation and Leadership (Harper). Tickets available on July 16. SOF reservations: (970) 544-7980. Public tickets ($10): www.aspenshowtickets.com or (970) 920-5770. Aspen, CO—July 29, 2008.

McCloskey Speaker Series: Cokie Roberts, renowned political commentator, will speak about her latest book, Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation (William Morrow). Tickets available on July 16. SOF reservations: (970) 544-7980. Public tickets ($10): www.aspenshowtickets.com or (970) 920-5770. Aspen, CO—July 30, 2008.

An Evening of Words and Music: Co-sponsored by the Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS), featuring US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice* and music performed by the AMFS students. Secretary Rice will be the recipient of the Institute's Henry Crown Leadership Award to be presented at this event. Tickets: $60 and $30, available at www.aspenmusicfestival.com or (970) 925-9042. Aspen, CO—August 2, 2008 (*schedule permitting).

FOCAS 2008, Media and Democracy: Explore how the new technological and behavioral environments are changing the way that media serve citizens in a democracy. Featuring two distinct roundtables of 25 invited leaders from media, government, community, and technology, on the themes of media and public engagement, and media and elections, aimed at arriving at policy and action recommendations. Held in conjunction with the Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy. Contact: Erin Silliman, erin.silliman@aspeninstitute.org or 202-736-5818. Website: www.aspeninstitute.org/focas. Aspen, CO—August 10—12, 2008.

Nature & Society Seminar: Explore the place of nature in individual and social well-being. Text-based discussions — with an expertly guided backpacking trip through the wilderness surrounding Aspen — revitalize body, mind, and spirit. Contact: Charlene Costello, charlene.costello@aspeninstitute.org or (410) 820-5374. Aspen, CO—August 20—24, 2008.

Africa Wildlife Seminar: A unique opportunity to experience African wildlife and wildlands conservation in the context of African politics and equitable development. Offered in South Africa, one of the foremost areas for wildlife viewing on earth. Contact: Donna Horney, donna.horney@aspeninstitute.org or 410-820-5339. South Africa—October 9—15, 2008.

Hot Off the Presses:

Where Will They Lead? MBA Student Attitudes About Business and Society: The Business & Society Program’s third survey of MBA students in 15 top-ranking schools in the US, UK, and Canada. Among the findings: Business schools and companies have not convinced MBA students that environmental and social responsibility contribute to corporate financial success. Read more headlines from the survey in the press release; a full report is also available for sale.

Advancing Social Entrepreneurship: Recommendations for Policy Makers and Government Agencies: This report, from the Aspen Institute and the nonprofit organization Root Cause, explores how government leaders can address major community challenges through partnerships with social entrepreneurs and offers 13 specific models that illustrate how to carry them out. Read the press release and download the full report.

Media and Values: Issues of Content, Community and Intellectual Property is a newly released report generated from the 2007 Aspen Institute Forum on Communications and Society (FOCAS). It suggests how changing media affect the ability of communities to govern themselves and people's concepts of property for non-physical goods, includes a set of principles for copyright "fair use," and contains a number of other policy recommendations.