In Conversation with Anne Mosle and Dele Olojede
On May 2, 2024, we will host, “In Conversation with Anne Mosle and Dele Olojede” at the Aspen Institute’s DC office. This will be the second public conversation in the new series with global leaders and thinkers hosted by Aspen Institute Vice President Anne Mosle. Dele Olojede is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist for his coverage of the Rwandan genocide and an Aspen Global Leadership Network fellow. As former foreign editor of Newsday, Dele had a front row seat to South Africa’s transition from Apartheid when Nelson Mandela was elected president. 2024 marks 30 years since South Africa ended Apartheid and Rwanda’s violent genocide. Dele and Anne will explore leadership lessons about how societies make fateful choices as a result of their common experience, and the inevitable price, some unpredictable, that must be paid for such choices. South Africa chose to emerge from Apartheid emphasizing freedom above all, while Rwanda chose to follow the rule of one leader who emphasized security. Where are both today and what can we learn from their triumphs and struggles in pursuit of liberté, égalité, and fraternité? What does a society give up when it moves in one direction or the other? How do we maintain balance, assuming this can be found? Is there such a thing as a universally best system for society—democratic governance, say—or are we to answer, “it depends?”
You can join this event in-person at the Aspen Institute in Washington, DC, or virtually. For those joining in-person, there will be a reception at 5:30 PM. The conversation will begin promptly at 6:30 PM.