Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.
In 2008, we (the Institute’s Public Programs and Energy and Environment Program) partnered with the African Wildlife Foundation (www.awf.org) for the first time to combine Aspen-traditional moderated seminar discussions with a world-class African safari experience. The seminar was a huge success, as you may have heard from Trustees and SOF members who participated.
Beginning with introductory sessions in Johannesburg, we will fly to Singita Game Reserves, one of the world’s most exclusive private safari destinations, where we have reserved two luxury lodges for four nights. (Conde Nast Traveler has twice ranked Singita a perfect 100 in its annual “The Best in the World” listings, a distinction only achieved by one other destination). See www.singita.com. We will enhance the experience by inviting a variety of guest speakers and participants from the ranks of Africa’s leading scientists and civic leaders. The seminar will focus on the past 50 years of conservation, both in Johannesburg before the seminar, and in the bush.
The first listening session will focus on higher education’s current progress on climate action and the urgency and opportunity to further scale solutions across the sector.
In partnership with Breakthrough Energy, the Aspen Institute hosting a private roundtable conversation exploring how to empower the Department of Energy to achieve this mission in the context of the agency’s history, budget, mandates, authorities, and political environment.
The Future Leaders Climate Summit is a multi-day gathering of young leaders (ages 18-30) that aims to empower these individuals that will be shaping and driving our response to the climate crisis.