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.
Each class of Fellows consists of 20-24 individuals, largely from the business and civil society sectors across the Middle East. Over two years, Fellows attend four week-long seminars and pursue an Impact Journey, guided by experienced, specially trained Aspen Institute moderators and local mentors.
Fellows are between the ages of 30 and 50 who, having already achieved considerable professional success, are at an inflection point in their lives – a moment of readiness to pause, reflect, and lead differently. They come prepared to examine their values, reconsider what impact and success mean to them, and shift their focus from individual advancement toward creating lasting, positive change.
The Seminars
At the heart of our Fellowship is a transformational seminar arc that guides Fellows through foundational questions of values, leadership, and a good society.
The Challenge of Leadership
Focuses on the qualities of leadership necessary to master the forces of change. Fellows discuss their own leadership challenges and develop criteria for effective, enlightened leadership.
The Aspen Seminar
The Aspen Institute’s foundational seminar. It gives the opportunity to explore the concept of the “good society” and the Fellows’ leadership role in making it a reality.
Leading in a Global Context
Explores the challenges of leading in an increasingly complex and intertwined world. Aspen Global Leadership Network Fellows from countries around the world attend jointly.
The Promise of Leadership
Explores the concepts of legacy and life balance. Fellows share the progress achieved, challenges encountered, and lessons learned from their leadership ventures.
Commitment to Impact
Fellowship is not only a space for reflection — it is a commitment to action. A requirement of the Fellowship is that all Fellows make a lifelong commitment to lead differently in the world.
This can take many forms and may evolve over time. The time for reflection, community support, and space for new ideas that Fellows find in the Fellowship is what makes this new level of impact possible — unlocking work they might not have ever taken on, or not have dared to pursue at scale, without it.
This commitment doesn’t end with the four-seminar Fellowship. We encourage impact to keep emerging and evolving over a lifetime and, as Aspen, we commit to walking alongside Fellows on their journeys to make a difference in the world.
