
News

Munich Security Conference 2025 – A Pivotal Moment for Transatlantic Relations and European Security
The 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC), held from February 14 to 16, 2025, at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, with numerous side events throughout the city, once again transformed Munich into the epicenter of global diplomatic discourse. Aspen Germany contributed as partner.

Foresight Process Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership: Conclusion with Workshop on January 31
On Friday, January 31, the final interministerial workshop of the strategic foresight process on the future of the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkans in 2035 took place – marking the successful conclusion of our project.

Exclusive Transatlantic Insights: Aspen Institute Germany’s Exchange with Trump’s Inner Circle
The Aspen Institute Germany recognizes the importance of fostering transatlantic dialogue, especially in times of political transition. Thus, Aspen Germany has hosted three high-level discussions featuring key Republican figures.
At the Aspen Institute Germany we want to promote values-based leadership, constructive dialogue, and international cooperation to tackle today‘s most pressing global challenges: geopolitical and geoeconomic conflicts, climate change, the health crisis, cyber risks, digitalization.
Events
- Digital Dish – “Orbiting The Future: Navigating Space, Security, and Innovation”
- On May 20, 2025, the Aspen Institute Germany in cooperation with Telefónica Germany will host a “Digital Dish” event on the topic “Orbiting The Future: Navigating Space, Security, and Innovation.” Since the release of Germany’s National Space Strategy in September 2023 — and the recognition of space as critical infrastructure — public discourse on its […]
- May 20, 2025
- High-Level Western Balkans Working Group
- The Aspen Institute Germany will host its annual Western Balkans Working Group on June 04-05, 2025, in Berlin to kick-off its Western Balkans Program 2025. The goal of this working group is to develop concrete policy recommendations in preparation for the Western Balkans Conference on “Structural Change” in Albania this October. In addition, the group […]
- Jun 04, 2025
- U.S.-German Forum Future Agriculture: Transatlantic Recommendations
- On June 11, 2025, a virtual meeting on Transatlantic Recommendations will take place for participants in the 2025 U.S.-German Forum Future Agriculture. The Aspen Institute Germany and project partner, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, will welcome the sixteen participants of the 2025 cohort for a virtual meeting. As part of the project, the Institute is bringing together […]
- Jun 11, 2025

Publications

Reconciliation in the Western Balkans
This publication compiles the expertise of various experts on reconciliation in the Western Balkans.

Ethical Code of Conduct for Social Media Influencers and Content Creators – #InfluencersAgainstDisinfo
The Ethical Code of Conduct for Social Media Influencers and Content Creators is the results of the 2024 #InfluencersAgainstDisinfo project.

Trump’s Second Act: Transatlantic Relations Under Trump 2.0
The American people once again handed the reins to Donald Trump to run the world’s largest economy and military superpower. The next administration will inevitably create new challenges for European partners in many policy areas.
Podcasts

Episode 68: Change of Power in Berlin – Change of Course in the West? Merz, the Coalition and the Transatlantic Relationship
With Sarah Schmidt, ARD-Correspondent in Washington and Dr. Melanie Amann, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, DER SPIEGEL.

Episode 67: The Anti-Trump Movement: Protest, Politics and Power Struggles in the U.S.
With Dr. Ralf Borchard, US-Correspondent, ARD Studio Washington, and Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook, Executive Vice President and Senior Advisor, Bertelsmann Stiftung.

Episode 66: Made in Isolation: How U.S. protectionism is changing the economy.
With Prof. Dr. Dr. Ulrike Malmendier, Cora Jane Flood Professor of Finance at the University of California in Berkeley and Member of the German Council of Economic Experts, and Bernd Lange, Member of the European Parliament and Chairman of the Committee on International Trade.
Programs

Digital
The Digital Program deals with the far-reaching social transformation processes of digitalization.

Europe
The Europe programs focuses on the future of Europe with a particular focus on the Western Balkans, EU enlargement, and questions of strategic autonomy.

Leadership
The Aspen Leadership Program facilitates exchange between people in leadership positions to foster values-based leadership.

Public
The Public Program provides a forum for open and constructive dialog between decision-makers and a broader audience on a wide range of current global challenges.

Transatlantic
The Transatlantic Program facilitates an open, values-based dialogue on key challenges facing the transatlantic partnership.
About
The Aspen Institute Germany is an independent, non-partisan organization committed to promoting values-based leadership and open discourse on society, policy and global challenges.

Our Mission
The Aspen Institute Germany promotes values-based leadership, constructive dialog among conflicting parties, and Euro-Atlantic cooperation to support and enhance a strong open society.

Our history
The Aspen Institute Germany was founded in 1974 by Shepard Stone as the first Aspen Institute outside the United States. Founded in the midst of the Cold War, it promoted U.S.-German dialog with the Eastern Bloc.

Our Team
Director Dr. Stormy-Annika Mildner has led the Aspen team since January 2021. Our Transatlantic, Digital, Public and Europe Programs are being supported by a team of currently 21 staff members.

Aspen international
In addition to the founding institute in the USA, the global Aspen network includes independent institutes in Central Europe (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia), France (Paris), Germany (Berlin), India (New Delhi), Italy (Rome), Japan (Tokyo), Mexico (Mexico City), New Zealand (Queenstown), Romania (Bucharest), Spain (Madrid), UK (London), and Ukraine (Kyiv).













