The following article was written by Rising Leader, Kumeren Govender, who represented Aspen UK at the Aspen Institute Italia Seminar on Values and Society (Castelvecchio Pascoli – Lucca (Italy), April 10-13, 2025)
Held in the heart of Castelvecchio Pascoli, a quaint Tuscan village in the province of Lucca, the Aspen Institute Italia Seminar on Values and Society could not have taken place in a more charming and beautiful setting. The village, named after the poet Giovanni Pascoli, who made it his home in the early twentieth century, still retains the gentle spirit and calmness of his presence —a place that brought him solace and sparked his creativity. With its rolling hills, stone farmhouses, and cypress-lined paths, Castelvecchio Pascoli offers more than just beauty; it is a place steeped in memory, tradition, and a quiet sense of continuity.
In many ways, this environment reflected the themes we explored over three days during the Values and Society Seminar. Representing Aspen UK, I joined over twenty participants from Italy, France, Colombia, Ukraine, and Romania for an immersive dialogue. Our discussions, grounded in literature, philosophy, and shared inquiry, repeatedly returned to questions of responsibility, identity, and legacy. Central to our seminar were thoughtful questions about what it truly means to lead and follow. We reflected on Plato’s cave, recognising the challenge and pain of stepping into the light of difficult truths. Ursula Le Guin’s Omelas and Sophocles’ Antigone urged us to consider our complicity in injustice and the costs of rigid control. We also asked whether we can truly face ourselves honestly and if, as Confucius believed, human nature is fundamentally good.
My takeaways were many, but one that stood out was the realisation that society rarely offers us choices in black and white; more often, we are navigating complex shades of grey. I was also reminded that often asking the right question can be more valuable than chasing the answer to the misdirected one. And, on a more practical level, I learned never to order a cappuccino after 11am in Italy, something three Italian friends independently observed and gently corrected with calm conviction!
I am deeply grateful to Senior Advisor Francesco Leopard, our moderators Todd Breyfogle and Kathleen Godfrey and the entire Aspen team for their expert guidance and for creating a space where such meaningful dialogue could flourish. Their dedication made this experience not only enriching but truly transformative – an opportunity I hope many others will have the privilege to share in the future.