The Aspen Institute established its own world-wide recognition with its mission being twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute has a board of trustees comprised of many of the world’s most influential business people and leaders, including former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Eleanor Merrill (publisher, Washingtonian magazine), former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, David Gergen of U.S. World and News Report, former cabinet members Henry Kissinger and Robert McNamara and humanitarian Her Majesty Queen Noor.

A meeting between Republican Presidential candidate John McCain and the Dalai Lama also crowned this most memorable event. His Holiness emphasized that our 20^th century is a “century of bloodshed” and said the 21^st must be a “century of dialogue.” He remarked that the new leader [President of the United States] needs to be strong, honest and transparent. He also stated that the “media needs to have a long nose and smell the truth even behind the scenes…They must inform the public clearly and openly” he said. “Transparency is very important.”

Perhaps change is not that difficult if we listen with an open mind and a loving heart. Compassion for our fellow beings may just be what we need in order to achieve what we all strive for: a happier life, – but most importantly the preservation of our planet. It is there for the taking if love, peace, stability and honesty become more important than pride. For indeed as both Buddhism and science state: we cause our own unhappiness. Is not this time we stop?

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