Aspen Young Leaders Meet in Slovakia

Over thirty young Central European leaders from various sectors, including business, academia and science gathered atop the Tatra Mountains of Slovakia on 21-24 March 2019 to participate in the Aspen Young Leaders Program's eighth edition. The preparation and development of our society’s future leaders are the principal objectives of the Bakala Philanthropy and Aspen Institute CE’s long-term cooperation. The program featured interactive empowerment workshops and sessions designed to facilitate experience sharing. Discussions centered around the young leaders’ role in society, their values and current social challenges. Professionals from Central and Eastern Europe discussed leaders' roles in combating issues critical to the region’s development. Leaders such as Tomáš Salomon, CEO of Česká spořitelna, general (ret.) Petr Pavel, Igor Blaževič, Prague Civil Society Centre, Martina Dlabajová, member of the European Parliament, and YEMI A.D., founder & CEO of JAD Productions. As in previous years, participants paid a visit to the steel mill in Podbrezová to witness the realities of industrial labor. All participants were impressed by both the quality of the discussion and the diversity among the speakers. They also appreciated the opportunity brought by discussing these new and challenging topics.