Dr. Jeffrey Gedmin
(2001 - 2006)
Times were difficult when Gedmin took on the leadership of the Aspen Institute Germany – German-American relations were strained, and these tensions carried over into the institute’s work. Gedmin focused on bringing about an improvement in trans-Atlantic relations. His aim was to make the Aspen Institute a “marketplace of ideas,” a place in which German and American decision makers and opinion leaders came together to exchange ideas and develop political recommendations. Priority was given to trans-Atlantic security policy and to strengthening democracy in Eastern Europe, Russia and Turkey. The situation in the Middle East developed into another important area of concentration.
Under Gedmin, the founding idea of Aspen – a non-partisan institution bringing together a broad spectrum of disciplines to promote humanistic ideals – lost its driving force. Gedmin continued on the course set by Kelleher, focusing the institute’s activities on the policies of the United States. Many White House decision makers participated in events organized by the Aspen Institute. At the same time, Gedmin intensified the cooperation between the institute and American foundations and think tanks. While this helped build an important trans-Atlantic bridge, it diminished Aspen’s reputation as a clearly non-partisan organization among the German public.
Because debates on current affairs were now held in various public locations around Berlin, Aspen Germany also became better known to the general population.
In 2004, financial problems forced the Berlin Senate to withdraw its funding for the Aspen Institute. Gedmin began looking for new sponsors, primarily receiving support from American foundations and donors. However, the associated increase in American influence on the work of the Aspen Institute met with some criticism in Germany.
