The Aspen Institute Germany’s Public Program serves as a forum for open discourse and exchange between decision-makers and a broader audience of interested individuals who wish to discuss fresh ideas and look at issues from new perspectives. As part of its mission, the Public Program is committed to both informing the public as well as engaging participants in a constructive discourse. For this reason, the majority of the Public Program events are open to the public. Topics reflect the Institute’s key issues and include a wide range of current political, economic, and social matters, as well as questions of values-based leadership.
The Public Program encompasses several different event formats. Twice a year, the Public Program hosts International Press Roundtables on current political and economic topics. A total of up to five international journalists, often foreign correspondents working in Berlin, discuss the outcome of elections or G7 summit meetings from the perspective of their country.
The Public Program promotes the political literacy of the public by facilitating the open exchange between decision-makers from politics, business and society. Having an educated public is fundamental for a value-based society and for a healthy democracy.
The Aspen Fireside Chats are intended as a more personal format in which the speaker(s) share insights into their path to becoming the person they are today, the challenges of their profession, and the impact their work can create.
The Global Challenges Series takes place several times a year and convenes experts, members of the Verein der Freunde des Aspen Institutes e.V. (Association of Friends of the Aspen Institute), and representatives from politics, business, and civil society for a working breakfast or lunch to discuss current international challanges under Chatham House Rule.
Also, the Public Program occasionally hosts stand-alone events such as exclusive breakfasts and dinners, the annual Aspen Summer Party, and the Aspen Gala. Some of these are hosted in cooperation with partner organizations.
Prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, several events are increasingly organized virtually, such as the International Press Roundtables. This format allows for both an international panel of experts and an international audience.
The Public Program is open to members, invited guests, and upon request. Members of the Verein der Freunde des Aspen Instituts e.V. enjoy preferred access to major Public Program events.
The Public Program is made possible by the generous support of the Shepard Stone Foundation, the Verein der Freunde des Aspen Instituts e.V. (Berlin), the Friends of Aspen Germany (Washington, DC), and the Press and Information Office of the Federal Government (Bundespresseamt).
50 Years of Aspen Germany
In 2024, Aspen Germany celebrates its 50th anniversary! We would like to take a look back into our history, honor our values and stress key global future challenges we want to tackle.
Laudatory Speech by the President of the German Bundestag Bärbel Bas at the Gala of the Aspen Institute Germany 2024
In September 2024, Aspen Germany honored the life’s work of former federal president Joachim Gauck! Bärbel Bas, President of the German Bundestag, held the laudatory speech for Mr. Gauck, emphasizing his commitment to a democratic and liberal society.
Ambassadors’ Talk
In times of a changing geopolitical landscape, the diplomatic work of ambassadors is more important than ever. For this reason, Aspen Germany aims to serve as a platform for diplomatic dialogue and hosts the virtual event series “Ambassadors’ Talk” since 2023.
Global Threats Series
In 2022, the Public Program launched the “Global Threats Series”. Within this event format, the Aspen Institute Germany hosts exclusive expert discussions on diverse global threats such as climate change, pandemics, cyberattacks and wars. The events are accompanied by a social media interviews.
International Press Roundtable
The Public Program hosts International Press Roundtables twice a year. The event format provides for a discussion between four to five representatives of the international media landscape who evaluate current events in politics, economy, and society from the perspective of their country.
Aspen Fireside Chats
The Aspen Fireside Chats are intended as a more personal format in which the speaker(s) share insights into their path to becoming the person they are today, the challenges of their profession, and the impact their work can create.
The Future of Ukraine
The attacks on the people of Ukraine since February 24, 2022, are an attack on all who support a values-based society and democracy – Aspen’s core values. With the new series of events “The Future of Ukraine”, the Public Program addresses the developments in Ukraine and the country’s vision for the future.
Future of Food and Farming
Under the umbrella of the Aspen Institute Germany, BerlinDialogue and the Zentrum Liberale Moderne, the event series, “The Future of Food & Farming”, pushes the often ideologically driven discussion about agriculture into the middle of societal discourse.
Publications Series Transatlantische Impulse
Together with the institutions and political foundations of the “Road to Election Night & Beyond”, the Public Program observed Joe Biden’s domestic and foreign policy in a publication series from a transatlantic perspective. The aim was to pick up on the hopeful transatlantic momentum following Joe Biden’s inauguration. The publications reflected a diverse range of topics with frequent contributions from the respective partners
Event Series Road to Election Night & Beyond
In 2020, the Aspen Institute Germany along with an exceptional group of transatlantic partner institutions and political foundations hosted the virtual event series Road to Election Night & Beyond. The series facilitated in-depth discussion amongst leading researchers, policymakers, think-tanks, and civil society in the run up to last year’s U.S. election.
Publications
Spot On – Im dritten Jahr nach der russischen Invasion: Die Ukraine und wir
In this Spot On publication, German historian, publicist and retired Bundeswehr General Dr. Klaus Wittmann analyzes the current state of the Ukraine war in its third year, with a particular focus on the role of Germany and Europe.
In A Nutshell – War at our Doorstep: A Wake-up Call for the EU’s Stalled Enlargement Agenda
In the latest In A Nutshell Emilie Schreier comments on Ukrainian-European relations and calls for an honest approach to EU enlargement.
In A Nutshell – Frieden und Freiheit: Ein Plädoyer für Nachhaltigkeit und Wehrhaftigkeit!
In his plea, Rüdiger Lentz calls for a rethinking and redirection of security policy, for which, among other things, the sustainability of security resilience is to be achieved.
Contact
Sinu Krohner
- Junior Program Officer
- Phone: +49 (0) 30 804 890 15
- krohner@aspeninstitute.de
Tom Rose
- Junior Program Officer
- Phone: +49 (0) 30 804 890 28
- rose@aspeninstitute.de
Luise Kienel
- Program Assistant
- Phone: +49 (0) 30 804 890 16
- kienel@aspeninstitute.de
Laurent Weißenberger
- Program Assistant
- Phone: +49 (0) 30 804 890 17
- weissenberger@aspeninstitute.de