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.
Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder
Aspen Institute
Blog Posts, IDEAS Article, IDEAS: the Magazine of the Aspen Institute Special Issue 2019, and Longform
US student-loan debt—which for many can lead to higher stress, poorer health, and lower savings for retirement—is a hot topic of debate among everyone from advocates, to borrowers, to 2020 presidential candidates. The Institute’s Financial Security Program and the Bipartisan Policy Center recently hosted an event on Capitol Hill to explore the best policy and system reforms for future generations and the economy. The event launched the latest Financial Security Program brief, Student Loan Cancellation: Assessing Strategies To Boost Financial Security And Economic Growth, which focuses on 16 debt-relief proposals put forth by policymakers from across political parties, all designed to aid 44 million student borrowers. The proposals vary from targeted reforms of federal repayment plans to a total cancellation of $1.5 trillion in outstanding federal student-loan debt. US Representative Donna Shalala argued that states’ disinvestment in higher education helped create the problem, and suggested reducing the length of repayment terms and expanding debt forgiveness to those engaged in public service. The problems associated with student-loan debt are systemic and consequential both for today’s debtors and tomorrow’s college students—but they are also solvable.
Aspen Ideas: Economy highlighted how cultural institutions, creators, and new technologies are redefining what it means to participate in the creative economy.
What makes for truly effective, trustworthy business leadership in today’s complex environment? Judy Samuelson, the Executive Director of the Business & Society Program, joins other Aspen leaders for an “In Session” interview.
The international Webby Awards announced their picks for the best online, mission-driven work of the year. Weave’s Trust Map won three of their Anthem Awards.
Dr. Benson Hsu believes transforming healthcare begins with a single, decisive act toward equity. His leadership is reshaping how physicians respond to crisis, uncertainty, and the communities most in need.
Ten years on, Juliet Asante’s Black Star International Film Festival stands as a legacy of leadership, creativity, and conviction — championing African stories and building a bridge between culture, education, and opportunity.
