History
The Aspen Institute is an international nonprofit organization that fosters enlightened leadership, the appreciation of timeless ideas and values, and open¬minded dialog on contemporary issues. Founded in 1950, the institute and its international partners seek to promote the pursuit of common ground and deeper understanding in a non-partisan and non-ideological setting.
The institute is headquartered in Washington DC. Its international network includes partner Aspen Institutes in Berlin, Rome, Lyon, Tokyo, New Delhi and Bucharest as well as leadership initiatives in Africa,
Central America and the Middle East.
Founded in 1974, the Aspen Institute Germany was the first Aspen institute outside the USA. Under the leadership of Shepard Stone, Aspen Germany established a unique track record in building German-U.S. cooperation and dialog with the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War. Stone’s successors extended the tradition to include issues facing the Balkans and the Middle East. Aspen Germany initiates substantive discussions on the toughest
international policy issues of the day. Like its U.S. affiliate, Aspen Germany organizes leadership conferences, policy programs and a public program of events.
