Aspen Ideas Now delivers inspiring ideas from the Aspen Institute.

Timely conversations that elevate formidable leaders, inspiring thinkers, and remarkable stories.

 


LEADING ON THE FRONT LINES

VIDEO (25 MIN)

Striving for Balance: Global Health and Economic Well-Being

America needs to put politics aside, says Ron Klain, when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic. That’s one lesson Klain learned from his work with the deadly Ebola virus. Klain was White House Ebola response coordinator under President Obama. Another critical lesson: science should guide decision-making. He speaks with Aspen Institute President Dan Porterfield about the delicate balance of reopening the US economy and keeping people safe.

 


ASPEN IDEAS TO GO

PODCAST (44 MIN)

How Will America Reopen? A Bioethicist Weighs In

With 22 million Americans unemployed because of Covid-19, is universal coverage needed now more than ever? Bioethicist Zeke Emanuel, an architect of the Affordable Care Act, says in an uncertain environment, people crave security. He thinks the pandemic will lead the federal government to rethink the importance of safety net programs like universal coverage. Dr. Emanuel tells Perri Peltz what needs to happen for America to reopen. Peltz is a documentary filmmaker, journalist, and public health advocate. Listen to the podcast episode.

 


ENVIRONMENT

VIDEO (60 MIN)

From the Streets to the Couch: Climate Action Moves Inside

How can climate activists continue their work and shelter in place? Founder of 350.orgBill McKibben, 14-year-old climate activist Alexandria Villaseñor, and president and founder of the American Conservation Coalition Benji Backer, 22, share how the climate movement continues to build momentum even as it has moved off the streets and into a virtual landscape. Watch these climate leaders discuss how the COVID-19 crisis offers us time and lessons learned to face the climate crisis that lies ahead. – Presented by the Energy & Environment Program

 

WEEKLY READS

FROM INSTITUTE LEADERS

Poorly Paid Workers Deserve Better than Going Back to Normal

Quartz, April 22, 2020

By Maureen Conway, VP of Policy Programs and executive director of the Economic Opportunities Program

Harnessing Technology for Global Education

Inside Higher Ed, April 14, 2020

By Mohamed Abdel-Kader, executive director of the Stevens Initiative

American Poison

The costs of the coronavirus crisis will not be borne equitably. In a virtual book talk held by the Institute's Economic Opportunities Program, author of American Poison, Eduardo Porter, speaks with Maureen Conway. Register here for the April 29th event.

Book Club

Download and grab a copy of Tightrope and join us April 30 for a live conversation with authors Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. In the book, the authors address the crisis in working-class America through deeply personal stories. Register to join the conversation.