Aspen UK

Jack Parsons, the UK’s chief youth officer leads a discussion about the future for Gen Z. He is joined by Astrid Persson, internal communications and engagement specialist at lululemon; Susan Reynolds, co-founder of LookUp.live; Robert Wigley, author of Born Digital: The Story of a Distracted Generation and chair of UK finance; and Aliyah York, founder of The Pupil Power. In this conversation, the panel review the generation’s relationship with technology, discussing the many issues they face, and how young people can be better protected from these challenges; explore the use of social media, and how it can be used as a platform for young voices to challenge injustice; and stress the importance of opening up the conversation, and removing the stigma surrounding mental health. 

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Matthew Flinders, Professor of Politics at the University of Sheffield leads a discussion on the future of the House of Lords. He is joined by Charlotte Carew Pole, director of Daughters’ Rights and Women2Win; Baroness Frances D’Souza, life peer, and former convenor of the cross benches; Lord Timothy Kirkhope of Harrogate, lawyer and life peer; and Professor Meg Russell FBA, director of the constitution unit at University College London. In this conversation, they question whether the House of Lords is a “democratic outrage” or a necessary body; discuss the ongoing issue of equality, and whether it’s an accurate representation of the society it’s supposed to represent; and give their thoughts on the body’s future.

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In this conversation, Margaret Heffernan, one of the UK’s most highly regarded thought leaders talks with Gillian Tett, US editor-at-large and chair of the editorial board of the Financial Times about embracing uncertainty. They discuss whether an individual’s past experiences influence their ability to adapt to an uncertain future; reflect on the connection between creativity and unpredictability, and why the nature of the arts industry enables creatives to better deal with unprecedented times; and delve into Margaret's new book ‘Uncharted: How to Navigate the Future,’ which provides the tools needed to face the future with confidence and courage.

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Elizabeth Linder, founder and CEO at Brooch Associates leads a discussion on the future of tourism. She is joined by Iván Eskildsen Alfaro, minister of tourism for Panama; Gloria Guevara Manzo, CEO and president at the World Travel and Tourism Council; and Nick Stace, CEO of Saga Travel. In this wide-ranging podcast, they discuss how travel companies have adapted during the pandemic; highlight the need for greater international collaboration to ensure the safety of travellers; explore the issue of sustainability in the sector; and share their insights into the possibility of Covid-19 passports. 

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Jamal Majid, senior fashion lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University leads a conversation on the future of fashion. He is joined by Cathy Hackl, a leading tech futurist and global leader; Wayne Hemingway, designer and co-founder of the renowned label ‘Red or Dead’; and Safia Minney MBE, founder of People Tree and pioneer of sustainable fashion. In this stylish conversation, the guests explore the current issues within the fashion industry, including slavery, sustainability and the lack of transparency within fast fashion brands; discuss the development and future of sustainable fashion; the importance of recycling to prevent constant disposal of clothing; and give insight into the future use of technology in fashion.

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John Worne, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Linguists leads a conversation on the future of language. He is joined by Casper Grathwohl, president of Oxford Languages and the academic product director at Oxford University Press; Dr Kathrin Kunkel-Razum, editor-in-chief of The Duden Dictionary - the dictionary of the German Language; Professor Aditi Lahiri, professor of linguistics and the director of the Language and Brain Laboratory at the University of Oxford; and Tony Thorne, language consultant at King’s College London, and former director of their Language Centre. In this articulate and precise conversation, the guests explore the massive impact technology and artificial intelligence is having on our language - including the use of emojis, memes and gifs to imitate expression; they discuss the social issues that arise with differences in language, particularly with relation to gender and education; and delve into the connection between neuroscience and language. 

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Professor Jim Livesey, vice-president for Research and Innovation at the National University of Ireland Galway leads a conversation on the future of Ireland. He is joined by Lord Paul Bew, professor of Irish Politics at Queen’s University Belfast; Dr Mary Favier, founding member of DoctorsForChoice and Covid-19 advisor at the Irish College of General Practitioners; Caitriona Mullan, independent cross border and regional development expert at the Association of European Border Regions; and Mamobo Ogoro, social psychology PhD candidate at the University of Limerick and Founder of Gorm TV. In this fascinating conversation, they discuss the huge social changes that have occurred recently in Ireland; talk about the healthcare and human rights implications; and share their insights into the economic and political place Ireland holds in the world. And - explore whether future unity for Northern and Southern Ireland is likely.

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Anne McElvoy, senior editor at The Economist and head of Economist Radio leads a conversation on the democratisation of culture. She is joined by Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili, globally-renowned scholar, collector and pioneer of cultural philanthropy and Neil MacGregor, art historian, writer, broadcaster, and former director of the National Gallery and the British Museum. In this ground-breaking conversation, they discuss how you make access to culture, in all its senses, available to as many people as possible; and explore the impact of digitisation and how it offers a new horizon for future generations. 

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In this episode, Tarun Das, the Chairman of India’s Institute of Economic Growth leads a conversation on India-UK bilateral relations. He is joined by Chandrajit Banerjee, the Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industry; Lord Karan Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer; Shobana Kamineni, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited; and Nandita Sahgal Tully, Managing Director at ThomasLloyd Sustainable Infrastructure asset management. 

They discuss whether the pandemic has encouraged emotional engagement and how 2020 was the year that “redefined humanity;” explore the importance of enhancing India-UK trade, with the aim of achieving targets of $100bn by 2030; and explain why it is so important that both countries work together in the areas of climate change, health, defence and security, and trade.

This webinar was held held in collaboration with Ananta Aspen in India

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In this episode, Lucy Crompton-Reid, chief executive of Wikimedia UK leads a conversation on the future of libraries. She is joined by Roly Keating, chief executive of the British Library; Ayub Khan MBE, head of libraries and cultural services for Warwickshire County Council; Nick Poole, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals; and Pamela Tulloch, chief executive of the Scottish Library and Information Council. Together they discuss the “powerful” role libraries will play in helping communities recover and rebuild post-Covid, explore the stereotypes of the librarian role and ponder how that can be changed, and examine the ways in which the current goodwill towards libraries can be harnessed in order to gain greater recognition and support from the government. 

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