1. international Aspen
INSTITUT
ASPEN
FRANCE
Institut Aspen France, founded in 1983, is a nonpartisan,
nonprofit, international center for discussion and dia-
logue. Aspen France has two goals: to help regional,
national, and international leaders — from the economic,
political, academic, and nonprofit sectors, unions, and
the media — identify the challenges they must face in
seeking solutions to the problems of our times; and to
facilitate informal meetings of leaders from different geo-
European government leaders discussed relations with the United States
graphical, cultural, and professional worlds. at Institut Aspen France’s third annual International Conference on
Transatlantic Relations in May in Lyon.
To these ends, Institut Aspen France, located in Lyon
since 1994, offers international conferences and semi-
European Commission, con- UPCOMING
nars addressing the major economic, social, and politi- sidered these and other ques-
cal issues of the day. It also hosts meetings and debates tions surrounding religion in November
the modern world.
on regional issues. 13–15
Fourth session of the Young
Political Leaders Program
Board Report
RECENT Energy Challenge: the At Institut Aspen France’s “Leadership”
HIGHLIGHTS United States and Europe board of trustees meeting in
facing Russia and Iran”; and Paris on June 12, Jean-Paul 16
“Expansion of Democracy: Bailly, chairman of La Poste, Regional conference in pre-
US-Europe Focus
At its third International European and American and Charles Beigbeder, lude to the World Life Sci-
Conference on Transatlantic Viewpoints and Outlooks.” CEO of Poweo, were nomi- ences Forum, organized in
Relations in May, Institut nated to the Supervisory partnership with BioVision
Aspen France narrowed its Board. In addition, eight new
The Stakes of
focus to Europe-US relations members were nominated to
Religious Issues December
— specifically external chal- What impact have religions the Advisory Board: Michel Regional conference on
lenges that could strain felt from globalization, and Barnier, former French Min- “Competitiveness Clusters:
them. Conversation immedi- how will they evolve under ister for Foreign Affairs; Hopes and Realities?”
ately turned to Russia, Iran, its influence? Will they in Isabelle Berrebi-Hoffmann,
and energy supplies, and, turn have an influence on researcher with CNRS; 7–8
eventually, the Bush Admin- globalization? If so, how? In Emmanuel Cueff, executive Conference on “The French
istration’s policies. Partici- July in Lyon at the second director of Le Point; Martin Model”
pants including Boyden International Conference on Hirsch, chairman of
Gray, US ambassador to the the St akes of Religious Emmaüs France; Frédéric Institut Aspen France
EU, former French defense Issues, 40 experts including Lenoir, editing director of Le 119, rue Pierre Corneille
minister Alain Richard, Peter Oppenheimer, presi- Monde des Religions; Jean- 69003 Lyon
NATO deputy assistant sec- dent of the Oxford Centre for Christophe Ruffin, chairman France
r e t a r y g e n e r a l Pa t r i c k Hebrew and Jewish Studies; of Action contre la Faim; Tel. + 33 4 72 41 93 12
Hardouin, and trustees of the Thimothy Shah, senior fel- Javier Santiso, deputy direc- www.aspenfrance.org
Institute (US) built conversa- low for religion and world tor and chief development
tion around three topics: affairs at the Pew Forum on economist with OCDE;
“Will the Atlantic Alliance Religion & Public Life; and Hubert Védrine, former
still be a reality beyond sim- Michael Weninger, political French Minister for Foreign
ply a symbolic role?”; “The adviser to the president of the Affairs.
76 WINTER 2006/2007
THE ASPEN IDEA

2. The fourth installment of the Aspen Dialogue on World Economy Series,
entitled “The Asia-Pacific Link: How the East Is Reshaping the West,” was
held in Florence July 7–8.
ASPEN ety. Participants agreed gen- consequences of modern
erally that patriotism — not developments in science and
INSTITUTE protectionism — is a positive technology on human
force that means attracting health, reproduction, food
ITALIA investments to Italy, reinstat- supplies, economic growth,
ing the rule of law, and rein- and quality of life. Discus-
forcing control mechanisms. sion focused particularly on
Aspen Institute Italia has established itself as a leader in
Participants weighed future how Italy might take advan-
promoting enlightened dialogue in Europe and across challenges for Italy and dis- tage of new discoveries.
the Atlantic through conferences, seminars, and studies cussed ways to preserve the
on international issues relating to economics, business, country’s cultural legacy. Aspenia News
As a part of the Institute’s Since April 2006, Aspen
politics, and security. It has significantly increased its
“World Economy” series, Italia has also published
membership over the past several years, with a current
Aspen Italia held a confer- three issues of its prestigious
total of more than 300 board members. It has also con-
ence July 7–8 in Florence, journal on international
siderably broadened its outreach through its quarterly where discussion centered affairs, Aspenia. Contribut-
journal Aspenia, which is sold at bookstores throughout around the Asia-Pacific link. ing authors include Bob
Italy as well as distributed to embassies, universities, Participants looked at how Geldof, Peter Sutherland,
the East is reshaping the Jeffrey Sachs, Carlo Scog-
and think tanks all over the world.
West, the increasing disparity namiglio, Ali Mufuruki,
Aspen Italia’s policy programs concentrate primarily
between the developing Prince Hassan of Jordan,
on Euro-American issues, including the reorganization of
world and the developed Robert Kaplan, Daniel Ver-
a 25-member European Union, economic global gover- world, energy security, and net, Alvin Toffler, Beppe Sev-
nance, and the political and economic evolution of the prospects for a more ergnini, Ivor Roberts, and
Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. Aspen effective and efficient global many more. Visit www.
governance, especially in aspeninstitute.it to read a
Italia conferences and roundtables bring together high-
light of strong, dynamic selection of articles from past
level international leaders from business, politics,
growth in the East — not just issues.
finance, and academia in off-the-record settings, often
in China and India but in
with in-depth focus on a single topic. Japan as well.
The Aspen Seminars for Leaders represent an innova- Finally, on July 17 in UPCOMING
tive, enriched, and distinctly European interpretation of Milan, a fourth Aspen Italia
conference focused on new November 30–
the Aspen Executive Seminar. Open to top managers of
frontiers in biotechnology. December 1
enterprises, organizations, and associations (including
Participants considered the The Aspen Women’s Work-
non-members), these discussions have recently included
shop: “The Future of the
themes such as infrastructure and transportation; the Broader Middle East”
postmodern society; information, democracy, and com- Rome
munications; and the challenge of a global market for
December 1–2
southern Italy.
International Conference
RECENT n o mi c s t a b i l i t y i n t h e and Transatlantic Dialogue
HIGHLIGHTS Balkans, the Aspen Institute on “Business and Democ-
Since April 2006, Aspen announced its new interna- racy: Bringing the Middle
Italia has organized several tional partner in Romania East out of Crisis”
roundtables and conferences (see page 27). Rome
on domestic issues such as Aspen Italia also organ-
telecommunications, eco- ized a conference specifi- Aspen Institute Italia
nomic leadership, banking, cally for the Aspen Junior Piazza dei Santi
the national interest, Italian Fellows on May 19–20, Apostoli, 49
Aspen Institute Italia publishes
Aspenia, a multidisciplinary jour-
culture, poverty, and entre- focusing on redefining patri- 00187 Roma
nal with articles by Italian and
preneurialism. At a round- otism in Italy in terms of Tel. + 39.06.9784511
international figures on a variety
table on political and eco- economy, culture, and soci- www.aspeninstitute.it
of issues.
77
WINTER 2006/2007 THE ASPEN IDEA

3. international Aspen
ASPEN tors from the previous Execu-
Corporate Values
tive Seminar served as speak-
Conference
INSTITUTE In early June, the Aspen ers on the panel at the sym-
Institute Japan co-sponsored posium.
JAPAN the Corporate Values Con-
ference in Tokyo with Booz
UPCOMING
Allen Hamilton, Fuji Xerox,
In Japan, the Aspen idea has been adapted to incorpo- and the Fuji Xerox Learning
Institute. Ralph Shrader, December 1–3
rate Eastern — especially Japanese — ideas. Aspen
CEO of Booz Allen Hamil- Young Executive Seminar
Institute Japan offers the Nippon Aspen Executive Sem-
ton, opened the conference Kanagawa
inar (NAES) three or four times each year. Based on the
by reporting the findings of a
traditional Aspen Executive Seminar, NAES features
joint-research project on the February 9–14
many of the original’s essential characteristics: exten- topic conducted by the Nippon Aspen Executive
sive reading and intensive discussion; an emphasis on Aspen Institute and Booz Seminar
Allen Hamilton. Chiba
self-teaching, not training; and diversity as a priority at
the discussion table.
New Executive Seminar Aspen Institute Japan
As much as the seminars have in common, the read-
Launched The International House
ings from NAES diverge from those of the original.
In late September, a new of Japan
Compiled by two Japanese scholars who have taken the five-day Executive Seminar 11-16 Roppongi 5-chome
Aspen Executive Seminar, the readings have been for business executives and Minato-ku
local government officials Tokyo 106-0032
adapted to include both Western and non-Western — in
was launched in the Tohoku Japan
particular Japanese — values, history, traditions, and
area, the northern part of Tel. + 81-3-3470-3211
philosophy so that they may better fit Japanese leaders.
Honshu Island. After the i-house@aspeninstitute.jp
Each seminar focuses on five themes: Japan and the
seminar, Aspen Institute
World; Nature and Life; Cognition; Beauty; and Faith, Japan held a public sympo- Seminar Office
Humanity, and Democracy. Readings from Western sium in Yamagata City in 3-1-1 Roppongi
celebration of the 20th Roppongi T-CUBE 14F
sources include Dante’s Divine Comedy; the Dialogues of
anniversary of the sister-state Minato-ku
Plato; Immanuel Kant’s Perpetual Peace; John Locke’s
relationship between the Tokyo 106-0032
Concerning Civil Government; Alexis de Tocqueville’s
Yamagata Prefecture and the Japan
Democracy in America; Charles Darwin’s Origin of
state of Colorado. Modera- Tel. + 81-3-5574-1801
Species; and Francis Bacon’s Advancement of Learning.
The non-Western readings include The Ideals of the East,
by Tenshin Okakura; The Analects, by Confucius; Flow and
Stagnation: Fragments of Philosophy, by Shozo Omori; The Nippon Aspen Executive
Seminar in Chiba, Japan, in
and An Encouragement of Learning, by Yukichi Fukuzawa. mid-July
RECENT which provides rising young
HIGHLIGHTS executives with valuable
opportunities to talk about
common experiences and
Young Executive Seminar
Following the success of its challenges, incorporated
first Young Executive Semi- readings by great authors
nar, Aspen Institute Japan both from the East and the
held its second Young Execu- West. The third seminar is
tive Seminar in Kanagawa in scheduled for early Decem-
late May. The seminar, ber 2006.
78 WINTER 2006/2007
THE ASPEN IDEA

4. ASPEN
INSTITUTE
INDIA
Aspen Institute India is a nonprofit organization dedi-
cated to in-depth discussion of global issues, develop-
ment of leadership based on values, and a high-level
UN Undersecretary-General Shashi Tharoor addresses the audience at an
exchange of opinions, information and values. Its mis- Aspen India session on democracy and development.
sion is to bring a value-based perspective to the most
important issues of the day and represent the forum of Democracy and Eye on the Future
Aspen India, in partnership
Development
choice for convening and developing leaders in India.
Aspen India organized an with Aspen Institute and the
Aspen India focuses on the most important problems
interactive session on democ- Global Markets Institute of
and challenges facing society, the business community
racy and development from Goldman Sachs, launched
and the individual. It invites top industrial, economic,
the UN perspective, as pre- the India Leadership Initia-
financial, political, social and cultural leaders to discuss sented by Shashi Tharoor, an tive (ILI), a part of the Aspen
these issues in reserved settings that encourage frank Aspen India trustee and UN Global Leadership Network
undersecretary-general for in the fall. Its inaugural class
and open debate.
communications and public of 24 fellows attended their
information, in April 2006 in first seminar, entitled “The
New Delhi. N.K. Singh, Aspen Challenge of Leadership,” in
RECENT Rajamohan, strategic affairs India trustee and former mem- Goa in October.
HIGHLIGHTS editor of The Indian Express; ber of the Indian Planning
and Naresh Chandra, former Commission, introduced the
UPCOMING
Ambassador of India to the session, and Gautam Thapar,
US-India Relations
In collaboration with the United States. The second Aspen India trustee and vice
Confederation of Indian asked whether India’s trade chairman and managing direc- February 2–5
Industry and the India Devel- and investments with the US tor of Ballarpur Industries Second Annual Joint
opment Foundation, Aspen might rival China’s. Speak- Ltd., concluded it. In his Roundtable on
India organized three dia- ers included N.K. Singh, for- address, Tharoor said that the Communications Policy
logues relating to President mer secretary to the Prime UN cannot impose democracy Chennai and New Delhi
George W. Bush’s 2006 visit Minister and former mem- on unwilling countries but will
to India. They addressed the ber of the Indian Planning help in facilitating democratic Aspen Institute India
implications of a balance-of- Commission; Mr. Harpal institutions when requests Mr. Tarun Das
power shift toward Asia, conti- Singh, chairman of Fortis come. He also said that India President of
nuity and digressions in for- Healthcare Limited; Surjit had set an example for the rest Aspen Institute India,
eign policies, economic Bhalla, managing director of of the world through its and Chief Mentor of the
interdependencies, and strate- Oxus Research and Invest- 59 years of democracy and Confederation of
gic considerations including ment; and Scott Bayman, independence. Indian Industry
energy and security. president and CEO of GE Plot No 249-F. Sector 18,
The first session covered India. The final session New Board Members Udyog Vihar, Phase IV
the strategic partnership addressed a future agenda in Anil Shrikhande, managing Gurgaon – 122015
between the US and India. US-India relations with director of Boeing Interna- (Haryana)
Speakers included K. Sub- speakers such as Manvendra tional Corp. India, and L. Tel:
rahmanyam, chairman of Singh of India’s Bharatiya Brooks Entwistle, managing (+91) 124.4014081/82
the Task Force on Global Janata Party and Sunil Bharti director and CEO of Gold- Fax: (+91) 124 401 4083
Strategic Developments; Mittal, chairman and group man Sachs India, have aspenindia@ciionline.org
Sachin Pilot, member of the managing director of Bharti joined Aspen India’s Board of
I n di a n Pa r l i a m e n t ; C . Enterprises. Trustees.
79
WINTER 2006/2007 THE ASPEN IDEA

5. international Aspen
ASPEN
INSTITUTE
BERLIN
The Aspen Institute Berlin is an independent nonprofit,
nonpartisan institution dedicated to the promotion of
transatlantic dialogue. Seeking to act as a bridge between
America and Europe, it convenes programs — in Berlin
and throughout Europe, the United States, and the Middle
East — on foreign policy, defense, and trade issues. Its
programs and conferences reach out to key decision and
opinion makers as well as the broader public, creating a Otto Schily (third from left), former German Minister of the Interior and
current Bundestag member, with participants in a June Young Professionals
marketplace of ideas. conference on energy, oil, and climate policy in the Middle East
Aspen Berlin’s work consists of lectures, roundtables,
issues of health care and Aspen Berlin also organ-
and debates. Its lectures — larger, formal events that are
immigration. In May and ized four conferences on
open to the public and press — usually draw 150 to 200
June, Boyden Gray, the pressing Middle East issues.
participants. The roundtables are smaller, invitation-only
r e c e n t l y a p p oi n t e d U S In May, UN Representative
gatherings for about 20 select participants. The debates,
Ambassador to the European Dore Gold, former foreign
which are lively and informal public sessions held in cafés Union, hosted a series of policy advisor to Benjamin
throughout Berlin, are designed to foster discussion on Aspen Berlin talks and discus- Netanyahu, as well as two
sions on government al important leaders of the
issues of transatlantic interest.
responsibility and health care Israeli Defense Force, Yaa-
reform. Victoria Nuland, US cov Amidror and Moshe
RECENT transatlantic governmental Representative to NATO, Yaalon, spoke at a confer-
HIGHLIGHTS collaboration through the presided at a roundtable on ence on “The Changing
Aspen Berlin continued to summer months, while also “Transatlantic Relations and Middle Eastern Security
address Middle East and delving into the domestic NATO’s Current Agenda.” Environment and Israel’s
Defense Needs.” This was
followed by a June confer-
ence on energy, oil, and cli-
mate policy as it relates to
development in the Middle
East. Aspen Berlin later held
two symposia in London and
Nice on the current state of
affairs in Syria and Lebanon,
which included prominent
journalists and dissidents
from the region.
Aspen Institute Berlin
Inselstr. 10
14129 Berlin
Germany
Tel. + 49 (0) 30 80 48 90-0
www.aspenberlin.org
Aspen Institute Berlin executive director Jeffrey Gedmin and Victoria Nuland, the US Permanent Representative
to NATO, at an Aspen Berlin roundtable on transatlantic relations and NATO’s current agenda
80 WINTER 2006/2007
THE ASPEN IDEA