Welcome to the first edition of The Lookout for 2025, bringing you a global perspective on issues that matter.
This year, we celebrate the Aspen Institute’s 75th anniversary, a milestone that highlights the Institute’s purpose - to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world - remain as relevant today as ever. We’re also very pleased to welcome Melanie Seyfort as our new Corporate Partnerships Manager, and kicked off our 2025 event calendar with Empowering Economies - A New Era of NZ–India Business Relations, in association with the High Commission of India to NZ, more below.
In this edition, In Focus examines three key takeaways from Empowering Economies, showcasing new opportunities for New Zealand businesses in India, and why a proactive, private-sector-led approach is essential.
Leadership in Action features international business consultant Nikolaus Lang, who shares his insights on global trends and five essential leadership strategies for navigating geopolitical shifts. In Depth unpacks McKinsey's latest research on AI and how organisations can unlock it's full potential to enhance creativity, efficiency, and productivity in the workplace.
Looking ahead, we're continuing to strengthen global connections in our Sister Cities Challenges series between Aspen and Queenstown. Join us online for our first panel discussion of the year: The Infrastructure Dilemma - Housing & Urban Planning.Lastly,don't miss the opportunity to be involvedwith Aspen Ideas: Climate Chicago as a panellist or facilitator - details below.
As always, feel free to tailor the content to your needs and share it with friends and colleagues. We hope you enjoy this edition!
Ngā mihi - Christine and the Aspen Institute NZ team
In Focus
Empowering Economies: A New Era of NZ - India Business Relations
New Zealand is falling behind in building trade relationships with India - can we afford to wait? At the recent Empowering Economies: A New Era of NZ-India Business Relations forum, moderated by Aspen NZ CEO, Christine Maiden Sharp and hosted by the High Commission of India, industry leaders explored the immense opportunities for collaboration and the urgent need for a private-sector-led approach. From sports diplomacy to overcoming trade barriers, the discussion made one thing clear: the time to act is now. Read on for key takeaways and insights from the panel on how businesses can seize this moment.
What will the world look like in 2030? International business consultant Nikolaus S. Lang explores the rise of a multipolar world, where shifting alliances and emerging coalitions reshape economic, technological, and military strategies. In this evolving landscape, how can business leaders stay ahead? Lang unpacks the key trends and shares five essential strategies to navigate the geopolitical shifts ahead, in this short video.
Superagency: Unlocking AI's Full Potential in the Workplace
How can organisations move beyond AI adoption to truly empower people and drive innovation?While most companies are investing in AI, few have integrated it effectively into their workflows to maximise its impact. The challenge is no longer about implementing AI, it’s using it to enhance creativity, boost productivity, and transform the way we work. McKinsey & Company’s latest report, Superagency in the Workplace – Empowering People to Unlock AI’s Full Potential, explores how leaders can move past experimentation and harness AI to shape the future of work.
Sister Cities Challenges: The Infrastructure Dilemma
Part 1- Housing & Urban Planning; Part 2 - Energy and Transport (Airports)
March & May | 9:30 - 11am
Following our first forum last year on winter sports and climate change, we're excited to announce the next two installments discussing The Infrastructure Dilemma Part 1: Housing & Urban Planning, followed by Part 2: Energy & Transport (Airports).
Join us for these online forums between Sister Cities' Aspen and Queenstown, to hear expert panellists discuss the infrastructure challenges faced by both communities in housing and urban planning, and energy and air/ground transport at airports.
In partnership with QLDC, Queenstown Chamber of Commerce, DQ, Aspen Chamber Resort Association and City of Aspen, these forums aim to foster collaboration and explore solutions to our shared challenges.
We look forward to your participation. Dates and details to follow.
Evidence and Values Based Decision Making course (EVBDM)
"The best bit of professional development I have done in years. It's had an immediate effect on my decision making."
"In a fantastic, intimate setting with advocates and MPs, I was delighted to experience a unique Aspen Institute training course on making better decisions. Best format I have ever participated in."
"To find common ground, it's not what you think, it's how you think that matters."
EVBDM Graduates 2024
EVBDM is a dynamic course designed to enhance decision making skills, using real-world evidence and stakeholder values. Led by Neil Jacobstein, Director of Aspen Institute NZ with extensive consulting experience in industry and government, this short course engages 20-30 participants across three modules over 2 sessions. The programme provides a simple, practical framework to transform organisational and personal decision-making skills. Developed for on-site group sessions at a location and time convenient for your organisation.
Contact us below to improve your decision outcomes and prevent costly decision errors. Bookings now open for 2025.
Aspen Ideas: Climate Chicago is a multi-day event addressing climate change, bringing together the public with the thinkers and doers driving solutions. It’s an opportunity to engage, learn, and collaborate on shaping our collective future in a rapidly changing climate.
Nominations are now open for session ideas and speakers with expertise in clean energy transition and environmental action.
Do you have a bold idea, know an innovative company or an inspiring leader who has expertise in the above areas? Aspen Ideas: Climate want to hear about them.
Submit your speaker or session nomination by March 31, 2025.
How can we find deeper meaning and live with intention in a world full of chaos? In this Aspen Ignites episode, David Brooks, NYTimes author & columnist, and Elizabeth Oldfield, author & host of The Sacred Podcast, explore themes from Elizabeth’s book Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times. They discuss mortality, intentional living, and the spiritual practices that help us resist distraction and cultivate meaning.
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