22 – 27 June 2020
Following a series of successful online short seminars, Aspen UK launched its first multi-day seminar online, responding to the unusual Covid-19 circumstances. A diverse group of participants from around the UK and further afield gathered for a series of closed discussions on Leadership Challenges in Uncertain Times.
Moderator Ruth Girardet guided the group through a series of round-table discussions, using the unique Aspen method of text-based dialogue. Participants explored a broad range of texts and other source materials, including Immanuel Kant, Seamus Heaney, Mohsin Hamid, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
While distanced physically, Aspen UK believes it is more important than ever to exchange ideas and values and learn from other’s experiences, to find new approaches to today’s problems. Aspen UK navigated the challenges and opportunities presented by video-conferencing technology to replicate much of what makes Aspen UK events special. Combining professionally-moderated discussions with online group work, time for reflection and shared leisure activities, the seminar helped participants to take a step back from their personal and professional lives.
‘I appreciated the combination of provocative texts, safe boundaries to explore them, and thoughtful little treats to make us feel special and cared for. What happened today was more than interesting, because people were able to deeper that their ‘moral reasoning’. We started to explore our emotions and instincts around important issues.’
(Participant Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand)
Aspen UK is planning to host more online seminars later this year, and will be announcing the next programme in July 2020.