This spring, we will be hosting events on topics ranging from solutions for the economy to the environment. These include Aspen Ideas Climate (March 6- 9 in Miami Beach), the Aspen Forum on Children and Families (April 11 and 12 in DC), the Global Inclusive Growth Summit (April 13 in DC and virtual), and the 2023 Aspen Words Literary Prize Award Ceremony (April 19 in New York City). These and dozens of smaller gatherings—both in-person and virtual—can be found on our events calendar. Thanks for penciling us in, and read on for other news from around the Institute.

Community colleges educate more than one-third of America’s undergraduates and the majority of low-income students. Because they need visionary leaders, the College Excellence Program works to develop the next generation of community college presidents through their fellowships. One fellow, Dr. Daisy Gonzales, was recently appointed as the interim chancellor of the California Community College System, the largest in the country. Gonzales is a proud community college alumna who is transforming the lives of students like herself.

Talia Lakshmi Kolluri’s debut collection, What We Fed to the Manticore, tells nine stories—each narrated from animal perspectives. Her book speaks to the fears and joys of the creatures that share our world. In this interview for Aspen Words, the literary prize nominee discusses the inspiration behind her work and how the writing process changed her.

Since 2020, Congress has authorized $3.8 trillion in economic development spending. But small businesses, especially minority- and women-owned firms, face many barriers when bidding for these contracts. Jorge Jimenez of the Latinos and Society Program proposes solutions for our fragmented procurement system, including fixing government fragmentation and overhauling financial requirements.

Timed with its 5th anniversary, this month the Aspen Economic Strategy Group (AESG) released its annual policy volume, Economic Policy in a More Uncertain World. Edited by AESG Director Melissa S. Kearney and Deputy Director Amy Ganz, the book provides a deep-dive on long-term economic headwinds confronting the country. This includes demographic changes, such as declining fertility and population aging, and a smaller worker to population ratio, leading to slower economic growth, reduced revenue, and lower productivity growth. The release was covered by Axios and Politico.

Winter Words

The 26th Winter Words series presents five events featuring an extraordinary lineup of award-winning literary talent. Between real-life tales of grifters and crooks, new fiction about slavery and climate change, and an exploration of the impact of trauma on the human body, this season promises to inspire, delight, and broaden reader’s perspectives. Join us in Aspen or virtually on January 23 for a conversation with Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score.

Flash Seminar: Rooting Our Leadership in Humanity

January 25, 4:30-5:30 EST

How do we embed our core values in our leadership vision and actions? How do our perspectives on human nature play a role in our professional decisions? This hour-long session will explore these questions and uncover how your answers influence your personal and professional leadership decisions.

Aspen Ideas: Climate

From March 6-9, hundreds of leaders and climate innovators will gather in Miami Beach, FL, to showcase climate solutions with the potential to reshape our world. Don’t miss your chance to hear from these visionary thinkers.

Trust is fundamental to a healthy society. Recent public opinion surveys show that our trust in each other, in many important institutions, and information has fractured. The Aspen Institute is helping repair the structures that allow trust to flourish and looking for ways to build new ones. Learn more about our efforts.

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