We don’t have to tell you that 2020 was not a normal year. The spring brought a global pandemic and new vocabulary like ‘social distancing.’ We protested racial injustice, mourned lives lost, and experienced an election year like no other. Now as we look ahead to the new year, we are shining a light on problems and offering solutions that make us hopeful for the future.

The good news is that we can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Vaccines are approved and being received by the first wave of Americans, including frontline workers and elected officials. But what will it take for the rest of us to have access? And what could daily life look like thereafter? The Institute is addressing these big questions, from a Global Inclusive Growth Partnership discussion about equitable and effective vaccine distribution to an Aspen Ideas Now event about the future of remote work.
 

The new year holds an opportunity to amend many of the biggest challenges that were exposed or exacerbated in 2020. The new stimulus deal provides $25 billion in rental relief and extends an eviction moratorium, but the Financial Security Program asks: can it protect the 30-40 million Americans at risk of eviction? The Food and Society Program highlighted the ongoing legacy of systemic racism that led to a hunger crisis — and how to fix it. To address climate change, the Energy and Environment Program argues that we need a cross-sector agenda that includes K-12 education.
 

Hope is on the horizon, but humanity will be dealing with the overlapping traumas of the pandemic for decades. Still, good things are happening and will continue to happen. Take, for example, the Business Ownership Initiative, which helped expand access to capital for US small businesses owned by people of color. The Institute’s Ascend program announced that states are enacting child care policies that promote financial and family health. And Fred Riley at Weave: The Social Fabric Project reminded us that even in earlier times of tumult we have always found strength in one another.
 

Facing our current situation with honesty may be the first step in creating a better tomorrow, but we also need to reconsider how we think about the future. For example, though the pandemic gutted youth sports, the Sports and Society program outlined a model that could make local, affordable, quality sports options available to all kids. Aspen Words and Aspen Digital tackled the lack of diversity in the publishing industry. And the Business and Society Program suggested that the way to unlock a new version of American capitalism is by fixing CEO pay.
 

Life and Legacy Celebrations

As we close out the year, we are looking back on and celebrating the lives of those we lost. Join us in remembering the "good trouble" started by civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis; the barrier-breaking work of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; the integrity and patriotism of Lt. General Brent Scowcroft; the flexibility and vision of NBA Commissioner David Stern; the generosity of philanthropist and former Institute trustee Michelle Smith; and the legacy of flawed but beloved citizen-athlete Kobe Bryant. 
 

If there is anything this moment in history proves, it is that the way forward is together. The Aspen Institute brings together people from all backgrounds, providing structure for difficult conversations and practical solutions to our greatest challenges.

TwitterFacebookLinkedInInstagramYouTube

If, for any reason, you would rather not be included in our database, please email [email protected] requesting your removal. Please be aware that some information may be retained for legal purposes and that your removal may limit or cancel any services rendered by the Aspen Institute to you. Personal data contained in our database is processed under the lawful basis of legitimate interest and is typically included in our database either because you previously subscribed to a newsletter to receive information about our activities/events or attended a recent event. As always, if you would like to unsubscribe to future emails such as this, please unsubscribe below.