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As the number of COVID-19 cases rises in correctional and detention facilities, advocates have called for the release of young people, older and vulnerable adults, and undocumented migrants. State and local legislatures are also considering clemency and medical furloughs. Yet data indicate that many who are currently incarcerated would return to communities with high rates of poverty and health inequity. Our new Criminal Justice Reform Initiative aims to change this—and transform the entire system. |
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A Refugee Narrative Wins Institute Literary Prize
Aspen Words
In a time when staying home feels difficult, the plight of refugees and those who have lost their homes is all but unfathomable. To help the world understand, author Christy Lefteri wrote The Beekeeper of Aleppo—and for her literary achievement, she has been awarded the Aspen Words Literary Prize. Lefteri and a collection of literary peers celebrated the award with interviews and discussions in a virtual ceremony, which includes interviews with the other finalists.
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Climate Change in a Changed World
Energy and Environment
There’s a lot of talk about when the world will get back to normal. But environmental activists point out that normal was simply not working. Three climate leaders recently joined the Energy and Environment program to explore strategies for continuing the climate fight when collective organizing has become distanced. There’s hope, they say, because we must rebuild the economy, and thus we have the opportunity to create new systems that are sustainable and equitable.
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Dos and Don’ts for the Digital Divide
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council
There are a lot of things to remember as society struggles to create virtual communities. Of course, we’re not just talking about passwords. Many of the digital spaces that are bringing us together are fencing off some voices. It’s up to digital event organizers to practice inclusion. The Institute’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council has suggestions and links to best practices.
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Rebuilding Rural Resilience
Community Strategies Group
In the US, rural communities are usually the hardest hit by recessions and the slowest to recover. Though we don’t yet know the impact this pandemic will have on communities with poor health infrastructure, it has the potential to be more devastating in rural America than in urban areas. We are entering this crisis with woefully outdated federal policy, one centered in a half-century-old view of a homogenous, largely agricultural population—but today’s rural reality is very different, and tomorrow’s even more so. Our Community Strategies Group presents ideas to support rural America going forward.
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Podcast: The Misinformation Virus is Infecting Us All
Aspen Digital
No matter how pristine your news feed, the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 is pushing the world toward bad policy, racist demagoguery, and loss of trust in institutions. Aspen Digital Executive Director Vivian Schiller examines this pandemic of mistruth and ways we can battle it.
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Video: What Kids Need From Coaches Now
Sports and Society
The gyms are empty. The fields are a little too green. And the game is not on. This is the current state of youth sports, which had been seeing declines even before the crisis. Young people and their coaches talk through topics like mental health issues and training at home in a conversation held by the Institute’s Project Play initiative.
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Parenting and Technology in a Pandemic
Thurs. April 30, 2:30 - 3:30pm ET
Socrates Program and Aspen Digital
We’ve been told to limit our children’s screen time, but now their academic and social lives have gone drastically digital. How can we mitigate the negative effects, and still get a little peace and quiet ourselves? Register here.
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The State of Housing: Will Cancelling Rent and Halting Evictions Lead to Recovery?
Wed. May 6, 1:00 - 2:00pm ET
Financial Security Program
Millions of Americans are suddenly unable to make rent or mortgage payments. Join former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro and other economic experts for a discussion on ways to build a stronger system of affordable, high-quality housing across the country. Register here.
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In the News: Hackers Target Virus Researchers |
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During a recent Aspen Digital panel discussion, Tonya Ugoretz, deputy assistant director of the FBI Cyber Division, revealed that there was evidence of state-backed hackers attempting to make forays into the networks of medical research institutions. Her words were a warning heard around the world. |
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Featured Op-ed: Poorly paid workers deserve better than going back to "normal" |
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As the pandemic has peeled away preconceptions about how our economy works, it has become obvious that there are millions of essential workers—those we are calling upon now to keep society functioning—who are scandalously undervalued. Maureen Conway, executive director of the Economic Opportunities Program, argues that there can be no going back to our reliance on exploitative employment in this editorial for Quartz. |
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During the COVID-19 crisis, the Aspen Institute has pivoted to respond to the urgent needs of the moment. Learn more about our work. |
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