Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.
Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder
Aspen Institute
How We Drive Change
Our unique approaches to creating impact
Building a Better World Begins with Human Connections
The challenges we face today are complex, interconnected, and often deeply personal. Meeting them requires more than expertise or urgency—it requires trust, collaboration, and thoughtful methods for engaging across differences.
We believe that meaningful progress begins with great ideas—and grows through the way we bring those ideas to life. That’s why our work is grounded in three core methodologies: facilitating dialogue and curating convenings, developing leaders and leadership, and enabling solutions. These approaches reflect how we engage with challenges, how we support individuals and communities, and how we move from reflection to action.
Each methodology is rooted in our founding purpose and refined by decades of practice across sectors, generations, and geographies. Dialogue helps people think more clearly and connect more deeply. Leadership development equips individuals with the self-awareness and tools to act with purpose. Solution-building ensures that ideas are grounded in lived experience and shared effort. Together, they shape how we engage with the world’s greatest challenges—by building understanding, sparking connection, and turning reflection into action.
Our Work
Explore Our Methodologies
Our work is grounded in three core methodologies. Each stands on its own, but together they form our distinctive approach to change.
The Aspen Institute shares regular updates about our work. You’ll receive the latest information on upcoming events and popular material from our staff — including publications, blog posts, podcasts, and videos.
