civil dialogue, civic engagement, and leadership development become
a predictable part of the journey to adulthood in the U.S. and
around the world.
Inspired by the Aspen Institute’s bold strategic vision and powered
by a generous endowment from the Bezos Family Foundation, we’re on
a mission to center youth in building a better future. Here’s how:
Our Mission
The Center for Rising Generations is dedicated to ensuring that civil dialogue, civic engagement, and leadership development become a predictable part of the journey to adulthood in the U.S. and around the world.
Inspired by the Aspen Institute’s bold strategic vision and powered by a generous endowment from the Bezos Family Foundation, we’re on a mission to center youth in building a better future. Here’s how:
We amplify youth voice
and leadership across the Aspen Institute, making sure that young people are not just present, but influential in every conversation.We build community
beyond “the bubble,” creating spaces where young people connect, collaborate, and grow.We back bold ideas
that highlight the strengths, solutions, and leadership that young people bring to the biggest challenges of our time.
How CRG Fits Into Aspen
The Center for Rising Generations (CRG) builds on the Aspen Institute’s mission to foster values-based leadership, open-minded dialogue, and real-world impact. Founded in 1949, the Aspen Institute has become a global leader in bringing together diverse voices, sparking bold ideas, and advancing solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges across policy, society, and culture. Through signature leadership seminars, global forums, and innovative programs, the Aspen Institute cultivates communities of purpose-driven leaders committed to positive impact in their sectors and communities.
As a new Center within the Aspen Institute, CRG brings focused attention to the leadership, civic potential, and lived experiences of young people. Made possible by a transformational investment from the Bezos Family Foundation, the Center for Rising Generations exists to embed civil dialogue, civic engagement, and leadership development into the journey to adulthood in the U.S. and around the world. Led by Kaya Henderson, CRG strengthens and connects the Aspen Institute’s portfolio of youth-serving programs, while also cultivating a global community of practice, supporting new projects, and partnering across sectors to elevate youth voices.
How CRG Fits Into Aspen
The Center for Rising Generations (CRG) builds on the Aspen Institute’s mission to foster values-based leadership, open-minded dialogue, and real-world impact. Founded in 1949, the Aspen Institute has become a global leader in bringing together diverse voices, sparking bold ideas, and advancing solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges across policy, society, and culture. Through signature leadership seminars, global forums, and innovative programs, the Aspen Institute cultivates communities of purpose-driven leaders committed to positive impact in their sectors and communities.
As a new Center within the Aspen Institute, CRG brings focused attention to the leadership, civic potential, and lived experiences of young people. Made possible by a transformational investment from the Bezos Family Foundation, the Center for Rising Generations exists to embed civil dialogue, civic engagement, and leadership development into the journey to adulthood in the U.S. and around the world. Led by Kaya Henderson, CRG strengthens and connects the Aspen Institute’s portfolio of youth-serving programs, while also cultivating a global community of practice, supporting new projects, and partnering across sectors to elevate youth voices.
By amplifying youth leadership across the Aspen Institute’s networks
and forging new pathways for intergenerational collaboration, the
Center for Rising Generations deepens the Institute’s legacy and
extends its impact by ensuring young people are not just included in
the conversation, but equipped to lead it.
By amplifying youth leadership across the Aspen Institute’s networks and forging new pathways for intergenerational collaboration, the Center for Rising Generations deepens the Institute’s legacy and extends its impact by ensuring young people are not just included in the conversation, but equipped to lead it.
Our Programs
Education & Society Program
The Aspen Institute Education & Society Program is dedicated to improving public education in the United States. The vision is that public education affords every student the opportunities and experiences they need to actively participate in civic life, thrive in the world of work and develop a healthy sense of self, which contributes to social justice and shared economic prosperity.
Center for Native American Youth (CNAY)
Founded in 2011, the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) at the Aspen Institute is a national education and advocacy organization that works alongside Native youth — ages 24 and under — on reservations, in rural villages and urban spaces across the country to improve their health, safety and overall well-being. All Native youth deserve to lead full and healthy lives, have equal access to opportunity, draw strength from their culture and inspire one another.
Aspen Challenge
Launched in a new U.S. city each year, the Aspen Challenge begins with a forum for students and teachers from partner high schools. At the forum, leaders pioneering change to some of the world’s most pressing issues present challenges to the teams. Equipped with tools and support, teams then design a solution to their selected challenge. Eight weeks later, they present their solutions on stage in a daylong competition, and teams are selected to advance and showcase their work at the Aspen Ideas Festival.
Stevens Initiative
The Stevens Initiative is an international leader in virtual exchange, which connects young people for dialogue and discovery through everyday technology. The Initiative is reimagining what the future of global youth engagement looks like and the scope and scale at which it can be implemented.
Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship (AYLF)
The Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship (AYLF) catalyzes the power of young people as changemakers by partnering with them, their families, and their communities to take action on their ideas for social solutions. AYLF is a place-based, multi-site program that nurtures a cadre of diverse youth committed to addressing the most compelling social, political, and scientific issues facing their communities.
Our Programs
Education & Society Program
The Aspen Institute Education & Society Program is dedicated to improving public education in the United States. The vision is that public education affords every student the opportunities and experiences they need to actively participate in civic life, thrive in the world of work and develop a healthy sense of self, which contributes to social justice and shared economic prosperity.
Center for Native American Youth (CNAY)
Founded in 2011, the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) at the Aspen Institute is a national education and advocacy organization that works alongside Native youth — ages 24 and under — on reservations, in rural villages and urban spaces across the country to improve their health, safety and overall well-being. All Native youth deserve to lead full and healthy lives, have equal access to opportunity, draw strength from their culture and inspire one another.
Aspen Challenge
Launched in a new U.S. city each year, the Aspen Challenge begins with a forum for students and teachers from partner high schools. At the forum, leaders pioneering change to some of the world’s most pressing issues present challenges to the teams. Equipped with tools and support, teams then design a solution to their selected challenge. Eight weeks later, they present their solutions on stage in a daylong competition, and teams are selected to advance and showcase their work at the Aspen Ideas Festival.
Stevens Initiative
The Stevens Initiative is an international leader in virtual exchange, which connects young people for dialogue and discovery through everyday technology. The Initiative is reimagining what the future of global youth engagement looks like and the scope and scale at which it can be implemented.
Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship
(AYLF)
The Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship (AYLF) catalyzes the power of young people as changemakers by partnering with them, their families, and their communities to take action on their ideas for social solutions. AYLF is a place-based, multi-site program that nurtures a cadre of diverse youth committed to addressing the most compelling social, political, and scientific issues facing their communities.
