Auto Workers Step In to Fight Covid-19

AUTO INDUSTRY

VIDEO (39 MIN)

What Happens When Covid-19 Meets America's Manufacturing Might?

This Labor Day, we’re highlighting a historic pivot the auto industry made shortly after the Covid-19 outbreak began in the United States. Ford Motor Company shifted from producing F-150s to creating ventilators, respirators, face shields, and masks for workers on the frontlines of the outbreak. With help from members of the United Auto Workers union (UAW) and other manufacturing companies, Ford transitioned its industrial facilities into medical production spaces. “The pandemic has shown how important the auto industry is,” says Rory Gamble, president of the UAW. He sits down with Jim Hackett, CEO of Ford, Peter Berg, creator of the documentary On the Line, and Gillian Tett, US editor-at-large of the Financial Times, to discuss the power of coming together and how Ford’s pivot will impact the future of manufacturing. Watch.

JOBS & ECONOMIC RECOVERY

VIDEO (59 MIN)

California's Approach to Economic Recovery

What will California’s economy look like once the pandemic is over? Julie Su, secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, says quality jobs must be prioritized. “We’re looking at recovery as something different than going back to where we came from. We want to recover better than we entered.” The pandemic has prompted overdue discussions about equity and inclusivity. Workers of color are over-represented in low-wage jobs and make up a disproportionate share of essential workers who are exposed to the pandemic’s health risks. Su talks with Angela Glover Blackwell, founder in residence at PolicyLink, and Meghan McCarty Carino, workplace culture reporter for Marketplace, about how to use this unique period to create pathways for shared prosperity. Watch. Presented by the Economic Opportunities Program at the Aspen Institute

Vaccines & Treatment: What Lies Ahead

September 10

As the coronavirus continues to spread around the world, scientists and other researchers are racing to develop safe and effective vaccines and treatments. With 165 coronavirus vaccines under development and 30 already in human trials, many questions remain. Join two experts from the Mount Sinai Health System: Florian Krammer, professor of vaccinology, and Judith Aberg, chief of infectious diseases, to hear about vaccine development and the convalescent plasma program. Register.

Do Morals Matter?

September 10

When US presidents make tough decisions about foreign policy, how big a role does their moral compass play? That’s the question Joseph S. Nye, Jr. attempts to answer in his book Do Morals Matter?: Presidents and Foreign Policy from FDR to Trump. With the world facing high-stakes threats such as nuclear war, climate change, a global pandemic, and technological disruption, our 46th president will need to shape foreign policies to meet these new challenges. Hear from Nye by registering for the event.

Criminal Justice Transformation in the Age of Covid

September 16

Jails, prisons, and detention centers have become hotbeds for the coronavirus, and criminal justice reform advocates are working tirelessly for the release of vulnerable adults and others. But many formerly incarcerated are returning to communities also disproportionately affected by the virus. Anna Deavere Smith, actress and playwright, speaks with Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, and Rev. Vivian Nixon, executive director of College & Community Fellowship, about transforming the criminal justice system. Register.

A Perfect Storm of Disinformation

Podcast, September 1

Featuring Laura Rosenberger, director of the Alliance for Securing Democracy, Renée DiResta, technical research manager at Stanford Internet Observatory, and Cecilia Kang, technology reporter for The New York Times. Programmed by the Aspen Security Forum