Aspen Institute Congressional Program

The Aspen Institute Congressional Program, established in 1983 by former U.S. Senator Dick Clark, is a nongovernmental, nonpartisan educational program for members of the United States Congress. It provides lawmakers with a stronger grasp of critical public policy issues by convening high-level conferences in which legislators — from both parties and both houses — are brought together with internationally recognized academics, experts and leaders. The agenda is devoted to explaining ideas and exploring various policy alternatives. Political neutrality is essential to the educational mission of the program. There is no identification with a political or party viewpoint and no endorsement of specific legislation. The Aspen Institute organizes six retreat programs annually: Political Islam; U.S.-Russia-Europe: Cooperative Efforts; U.S. Policy in Latin America; U.S.-China Relations; and The Challenge of Education Reform. Carnegie Corporation of New York provided the initial grants and continues to fund two of Aspen Institute’s most influential congressional retreat programs: U.S.-Russia and Education Reform.