The Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute Project Play initiative is excited to release our 14th community State of Play report – Kansas City! In partnership with Children's Mercy Kansas City, State of Play Kansas City shows the significant value of physical activity to the mental health of children in the Kansas City region. However, not enough young people regularly move their bodies — and the report offered recommendations on how to make improvements. Read State of Play Kansas City: as.pn/SOPKansasCity Key findings from the report: • Physical activity helps mental health: Only 20% of surveyed youth in the KC region receive 60 minutes of physical activity daily as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Highly active children are two times less likely to report feeling depressed nearly every day than inactive youth. Children with at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily also expressed less anxiety, worry and nervousness and more happiness and motivation than their peers without physical activity during a week. • Why local children play sports: Having fun (50%) and playing with friends (48%) were by far the top reasons among surveyed youth. Winning games (20%) and trying to earn a college scholarship (8%) ranked much lower. • Most popular sports in Kansas City: Boys most regularly participate in tackle football (40%), basketball (38%), soccer (34%), baseball (22%) and weightlifting (17%). The most popular activities for girls are soccer (24%), volleyball (22%), basketball (19%), dance (18%) and gymnastics (17%). • Household income impacts the type of sports experiences: Surveyed children from low-income homes were three times less likely to play on traveling teams than those from high-income homes. Low-income children were also less likely to “almost always” or “frequently” have fun in sports or gain sports knowledge from their most recent sports experience than the wealthiest youth. • Lack of infrastructure to support youth with disabilities: Only 2% of regional sports and physical activity providers focus on serving people with developmental or physical disabilities.

In 2023, Latin music reached an all-time high, hitting $1.4 billion in market value. This achievement reflects decades of Latino artists reshaping the music industry and creating iconic moments on TV. With their infectious rhythms, bold beats, and fresh perspectives, Latino musicians have not only set trends but also expanded their influence beyond music—making waves in business and entrepreneurship. By bringing more representation into the mainstream, they are cementing the value of our contributions to American culture. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the Latino Market Makers whose influence continues to inspire, shape industries, and highlight the richness of our community. Visit our webpage to celebrate their lasting influence: https://lnkd.in/eyn9BPm3 #HHM #LatinoMarketMakers

Banned Books Week highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas. Join the Aspen Institute Arts Program on Sunday, September 22, 2024, in partnership with Kwame Alexander, W. Kamau Bell, and the DC Public Library and DC Public Library Foundation for “Shelved Voices: How Book Censorship & Bans Impact Everyone, Everywhere,” at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Auditorium in Washington, D.C. This program kicks off this year's Banned Books Week with discussions exploring the history of book banning, the current state of literary access in the US, and how we might catalyze inspiration for protecting and expanding access to the written word for all readers. This event is free, but registration is required for both in-person and livestream attendance. Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/eNesvdAB

The US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recently advised communities and schools to elevate the voices of #parents and #caregivers to develop programming and other supports designed to improve family mental health and well-being. Building on this recommendation, Ascend’s new guide provides strategies and tools that organizations, policymakers, practitioners, and researchers can leverage to create effective partnerships with parents. We developed “Ascending with Parents: A Guide to Centering Parent Voice in Policy and Practice” with input from Ascend Parent Advisors whose insights have helped us better understand how we can foster family well-being and prosperity when we #CenterParentVoice. During #NationalStudentParentMonth and beyond, we encourage postsecondary leaders to recognize student parents as essential partners in this work. We, along with many others in the field, have learned key strategies to ensure equity, foster authenticity and autonomy, compensate parents appropriately, and more. In addition to providing concrete suggestions, the guide uplifts examples of organizations that are engaging parents including The Excel Center CO, Jeremiah Program, The Family Partnership, and The Primary School. https://lnkd.in/gqR_HsiK

Media coverage of AI often fails to distinguish between hype and reality. This leads to public misconceptions that can fuel unnecessary fears or unrealistic hopes about these tools. To help the rising generation think critically about AI reporting, we've just published a media literacy lesson plan geared toward high school and junior college students. This educational resource is designed to equip students for an AI-driven world by fostering a deeper understanding of how AI is portrayed and interpreted in the media. It includes a comprehensive set of resources: * A materials list * Resource links * Detailed instructions * A sample presentation * Conversation starters * Assessment guidelines * A vocabulary guide In the spirit of open access, we welcome educators and anyone to use, repurpose, and expand on this work. Access the “Interpreting AI in the News” lesson plan: https://lnkd.in/gSWHXCYf #ArtificialIntelligence #MediaLiteracy #Education #Teachers

This week, we're talking banned books and cybersecurity. Learn more and register for this week's events and more: https://lnkd.in/ewFNsf7t

Attention! We now know the secret to living a long, healthy life! Thanks to Dr. Mark Hyman, MD, an internationally recognized leader in the field of Functional Medicine and the founder & director of The UltraWellness Center, for joining us as part of the Murdock Mind Body Spirit Series and enlightening us with new discoveries in longevity research. Exploring key topics from his latest book, “Young Forever: The Secrets to Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life,” Dr. Hyman reveals how aging can be treated and even reversed through lifestyle changes. He dives into the four "longevity switches"—which he explains as "master regulators of our biology" that control the aging process. He also shares his personal journey of reversing his biological age from 43 to 39 with interventions like plasmapheresis and ozone therapy. Feeling curious? Discover insights on optimizing health and longevity through a holistic approach. Watch the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/d4k3Ykd8

Have we grown to be alienated from the natural world? Are our relationships with nature driven by extraction and control rather than kinship and reverence? What would it take to redefine our connection with the environment and embrace a deeper, more reciprocal relationship? In this #AspenIgnites episode, Samuel Kimbriel, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Philosophy and Society Program, and Jacob Sherman, Professor & Chair of Philosophy and Religion at the California Institute of Integral Studies, dive into our evolving connection with nature. They explore how personal experiences shape our ethical responsibilities and discuss the need for a cultural, moral, and spiritual transformation—beyond just policy changes. Discover how rethinking human flourishing can lead to a more harmonious future with the natural world. Watch the full conversation: https://lnkd.in/dmg4ZPfn

To inspire more solutions to the global plastic pollution crisis, the The Aspen Institute Energy & Environment Program (EEP)'s End Plastic Pollution International Collaborative (EPPIC) is seeking design partners to help create a global innovation prize competition that will drive advancements in science and technology, and be an opportunity to disrupt current systems. Learn more about the request for proposals and apply by September 27 at the link below.

Todd Breyfogle has been in the business of helping leaders live their values and learn to lead more wisely for over 15 years. On a new episode of The Perri Peltz Show on SiriusXM, he discusses why prioritizing and organizing time is so important, and how it can help you develop your leadership skills. Listen at the link below, and follow Aspen Institute Executive Leadership Seminars to learn more about values-based leadership and how to develop your leadership abilities.