Overview of the Aspen Institute Seminars

James Spiegelman, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Vice President; Ph: 202.736.3849 Fx: 202.833.1813 jim.spiegelman@aspeninst.org.

For more than fifty years, experienced leaders have come to the Aspen Institute to broaden their perspectives, develop new understandings, and refine their leadership strategies. In each seminar, a diverse group of twenty participants apply some of the world's greatest ideas to modern-day issues. Participants describe their seminar experience as motivating, inspiring, and relevant to today's leadership challenges.

Most Institute seminars are held at its campuses in Wye, Maryland and Aspen, Colorado. Through the corporate partners program, the Aspen Institute also partners with select organizations to provide ongoing support and resources in the development of their senior leaders.

The Executive Seminar
Leaders seldom fall short due to lack of technical knowledge, but rather because they lose sight of the values that inform their organizations and the societies in which they live. Understanding basic motivations, what people hold dear and why, is critical to thinking strategically and resolving conflict.

Through the Executive Seminar, experienced leaders define and better understand the basic values that are at the heart of the most complex decisions they face. Participants examine the tensions among the oft-competing values, beliefs, and attitudes behind current and age-old conflicts, and learn from each other and from some of the greatest thinkers of all time.

Topical Seminars are offered every year on timely subjects relating to some of the most important issues leaders confront in their lives and careers. 2005 Topical Seminars are as follows: Pursuing the Good Life; Justice and Society; Sunday Seminar Series; Alumni Executive Seminar; Wilderness Seminar; and The Aspen Ideas Festival.

Socrates Society Forum 
The Socrates Society is a group of successful young leaders who are already involved in shaping the business, government, academic and non-profit worlds. Now in its sixth year, the Socrates Society hosts bi-annual weekend forums that explore modern leadership challenges, particularly those sparked by technological advancement.