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22. Internet of Water Revisited: Building an Internet of Water
- Author:
- Lauren Patterson and Rapporteur
- Publication Date:
- 07-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Aspen Institute
- Abstract:
- The Internet of Water report, published in 2017, provided a series of findings and recommendations from the Aspen Institute Dialogue Series on Sharing and Integrating Water Data for Sustainability to address how to improve our nation’s water data infrastructure to better equip and enable sustainable water resource management. Since that report, the Nicholas Institute was tasked with beginning to implement an Internet of Water (IoW). As an initial step, the Aspen Institute convened a series of conversations across the United States to learn about current water data activities, discuss needs and expectations of different communities, identify and strengthen collaborations, and imagine how the Internet of Water could be best implemented for their region or sector. This addendum synthesizes the perspectives from each of the five regional roundtables which took place in California, the Great Lakes Region, the Midwest, Texas, and the Colorado River Basin. Notably, this addendum highlights the similarities and differences between regions – starting with the context for each roundtable and ending with an overall vision for building the Internet of Water. It was clear that sectors and regions are deeply interested in realizing the potential of their water data. Many were interested in the IoW providing a neutral convening and coordinating role to leverage ongoing activities and ensure the data infrastructure built will allow water data to flow seamlessly between sectors and regions.
- Topic:
- Water, Infrastructure, Internet, and Sustainability
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America
23. The Great Convergence: Toward a Global Strategy for Financial Inclusion
- Author:
- Timothy Ogden
- Publication Date:
- 08-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Aspen Institute
- Abstract:
- Tim Ogden, Managing Director of NYU-Wagner’s Financial Access Initiative and Aspen FSP Senior Fellow, contextualizes financial inclusion – once thought of as a solution only for the developing world – as one highly relevant in the US context. In July, Ogden shared an abbreviated version of his remarks at the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor’s (CGAP) private meeting on updating financial inclusion’s collective narrative to include evolving thinking and impact. You can learn more about CGAP’s work here. This piece dives deeper into Ogden’s observations about the shared challenges and areas of growth within the landscape of global inclusion. It also proposes the need for a global financial inclusion strategy. Read Ogden’s piece, The Great Convergence to learn how financial inclusion efforts around the world are growing more relevant to the structural policies developed in the US, and vice versa.
- Topic:
- Globalization, Finance, Socioeconomics, and Inclusion
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America
24. Harnessing Digital Technology for Frontline Worker Mobility: Eat’n Park’s Partnered Approach
- Author:
- Vivian Vazquez, Jenny Weissbourd, and Amy Blair
- Publication Date:
- 08-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Aspen Institute
- Abstract:
- Online upskilling programs have the potential to support continuous, lifelong learning that can help adults learn new skills and advance in a changing labor market. Yet the online learning landscape can be difficult to navigate. Many workers face challenges balancing digital courses with work and personal commitments, accessing and using technology, and determining which of the many available programs signal value to employers. Companies can play an important role in making online upskilling accessible and relevant to frontline workers. Our latest report documents one partnered approach to designing and piloting an online training program for incumbent workers, led by a food service company, a civic leadership organization, and a local university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It explores how Eat’n Park partnered with Robert Morris University and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development to design and deliver digital training to frontline Eat’n Park employees. Our profile shares findings from a pilot customer service training program, focusing on the experiences of workers who participated and their managers. It includes information on program content and design, and the business case for launching training. It also offers four key practices that workers noted were important to their motivation and ability to complete the program
- Topic:
- Science and Technology, Labor Issues, Retail, Digitalization, and Customer Service
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America
25. Midterm Report: Early Lessons from the Hewlett Foundation’s Principled Approach to Supporting Local Advocacy
- Author:
- David Devlin-Foltz, Susanna Dilliplane, and Rhonda Schlangen
- Publication Date:
- 09-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Aspen Institute
- Abstract:
- In 2016, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation launched a new grant-making strategy to support advocacy for access to family planning and reproductive health (FPRH) services in Sub-Saharan Africa. The goal: support vibrant African organizations able to positively influence their government’s FPRH policies and funding decisions. The strategy seeks to shift power towards the local civil society organizations (CSOs) doing the advocacy work and to strengthen their capacity to advocate. During the first five years of the strategy’s implementation, the Foundation is working with the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program to assess and learn from the experience of its grantees and the CSOs they support. This midterm report summarizes key findings and recommendations based on evaluation activities conducted in 2017 and 2018.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Local, Advocacy, Family Planning, and Reproductive Health
- Political Geography:
- Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa
26. The Time is Now: Next Steps Toward a More Secure Retirement for All Americans
- Author:
- Aspen Institute
- Publication Date:
- 10-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Aspen Institute
- Abstract:
- Even after a decade of economic growth, the retirement outlook for many Americans remains precarious at best. By one estimate, half of working-age Americans are at risk of not being able to maintain their standard of living when—or if—they stop working. Spurred by this reality, the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program convened its third annual Leadership Forum on Retirement Savings in April. More than 70 experts and industry leaders gathered in Warrenton, Va., to share, evaluate, and refine solutions to the nation’s retirement crisis.
- Topic:
- Labor Issues, Employment, Finance, Family, and Retirement
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America
27. 2019 State of Native Youth Report: Native Youth Count
- Author:
- Center for Native American Youth
- Publication Date:
- 11-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Aspen Institute
- Abstract:
- On November 20, the Center for Native American Youth released its annual State of Native Youth report. The report highlights young leaders who are working hard to create a brighter future for tribal nations, the programs that help them do so, and the policy issues that impact their lives. The report also shares what we’ve learned from community meetings with youth and service providers about the priorities and solutions that matter most. The theme of this year’s report is Native Youth Count. Throughout this year’s report, we highlight the importance of Native youth civic engagement and belonging. We also feature artwork throughout the report that was submitted as part of the annual Gen-I Creative Native Call for Art. This year’s prompt was: What does citizenship and sense of belonging mean to you?
- Topic:
- Youth, Indigenous, Indian Affairs, Tribes, and Native Americans
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America
28. Genesis at Work: Evaluating the Effects of Manufacturing Extension on Business Success and Job Quality
- Author:
- Ranita Jain, Nichola Lowe, Greg Schrock, and Maureen Conway
- Publication Date:
- 12-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Aspen Institute
- Abstract:
- Manufacturers looking to improve productivity and efficiency often turn to Manufacturing Extension Partnerships (MEPs), public-private partnerships supported by the US Department of Commerce that provide consulting services to support their growth and competitiveness. These partnerships often focus on implementing lean manufacturing strategies to cut waste and eliminate production bottlenecks. But what if they also adopted people strategies, focusing on job quality alongside process and product strategies to help businesses solve their problems?
- Topic:
- Science and Technology, Employment, Manufacturing, and Job Creation
- Political Geography:
- North America and United States of America
29. Development as Dignity
- Author:
- Dapo Oyewole, Andrew Quinn, and Holly Kear
- Publication Date:
- 10-2018
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Aspen Institute
- Abstract:
- What is development? What does it look like? Development means different things to different people and in an increasingly polarized world, voices from the Global South are urgently needed to provide a balance of perspectives, lest we hear mostly one side of a multifaceted story. The Aspen New Voices Fellows writing in this anthology all agree that fundamentally, development is about dignity. Dignity of people. Dignity of planet. Dignity of life. The stories in this collection reflect this quest for dignity and share engaging insights and moving stories from diverse countries in Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. The authors challenge us, inspire us and force us to open our eyes to the many ways we can truly see and foster ‘development as dignity.’
- Topic:
- International Affairs and International Development
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
30. Access to Capital for Urban Innovators: Report to the Bank of America Charitable Foundation
- Author:
- Aspen Institute
- Publication Date:
- 06-2018
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Aspen Institute
- Abstract:
- Urban innovators share a commitment to using new approaches, and often new technologies, to tackle long-standing challenges that seem unsolvable to others and that affect a large number of cities. Despite urban innovators’ insightful ideas on new ways to solve metropolitan areas’ most difficult challenges, many lack access to critical resources, tools, and funding. These access to capital hurdles most severely affect women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color, who historically have lacked opportunities for creating their own ventures, building wealth, and achieving financial empowerment. Throughout 2016 – 2017 the Aspen Institute Center for Urban Innovation worked with partner programs and organizations to demonstrate the sustainable impact urban innovators have when they have access to the capital necessary to start, grow, and stabilize their organizations and businesses. We learned from entrepreneurs, leaders of support organizations, government officials, and funders from capital-heavy places such as Silicon Valley, New York, and Boston, but also from places starting to garner more attention for their innovation-friendly cultures such as Buffalo, Cincinnati, and New Orleans. The Access to Capital for Urban Innovators report highlights the lessons learned from several convenings and programs focused on strategies to eliminate barriers to resources for women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color. We heard firsthand what urban innovators need to achieve success, and put forth principles and ideas on ways different sectors can improve their cities’ economy and become centers of inclusive prosperity
- Topic:
- Science and Technology, Finance, Urban, and Innovation
- Political Geography:
- United States and North America