Policy Programs and Partnerships

The Aspen Institute Policy Programs have achieved an international reputation as effective and impartial fora for constructive dialogue on significant policy issues. The Policy Programs seek to improve public and private sector policy decision making by providing a neutral venue for leaders to engage in informed dialogue and inquiry on the complex, important issues of our time.

Through a variety of activities, the Policy Programs help leaders understand critical issues and choices, including the competing values that inform these choices, in order to encourage more informed, values-based policy making. By developing new thinking, options, recommendations, and initiatives, the Policy Programs seek constructive solutions within the policy making process.

Financial support for the Policy Programs comes primarily from philanthropic foundation grants and, in a few programs, from corporate grants. The Policy Programs range in size, activity, methodology, and subject matter.

Currently, our Policy Programs and partnerships are

• Advocacy and Exchange Program on Agent Orange/Dioxin
• The Annual Gathering of Education Entrepreneurs
• Aspen Strategy Group
• Business and Society Program
• Commission on No Child Left Behind
• Communications and Society Program
• Community Strategies Group
• Congressional Program
• Council of Women World Leaders
• Economic Opportunities Program
• Education and Society Program
• Energy and Environment Program
• Global Initiative on Arts, Culture, and Society
• Global Interdependence Initiative
• Health, Biomedical Science and Society Initiative 
• Homeland Security Initiative
• Initiative on Financial Security
• Justice and Society Program
• Middle East Strategy Group
• Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy Program  
• Program on World Economy
• Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative
• Roundtable on Community Change
• Youth Entrepreneurship Strategy Group