Renaissance Weekend

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Renaissance Weekend was founded in 1980 by Linda Lader and Philip Lader, the former U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James's. Renaissance Weekends are private, invitation-only retreats for leaders in business and finance, government, the media, religion, medicine, science, technology and the arts.

Conversations are strictly off the record and subject matter ranges widely, tending to focus heavily on policy and business issues.

1 Introduction & Objectives
2 Objectives & History
3 Notable Participants
4 External links

[edit] Introduction & Objectives

Founded in 1981 by Linda Lader and Philip Lader, the former U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James's, Renaissance Weekends are private retreats for the accomplished families of leaders in business and finance, education, religion, law and medicine, government, the media, science and technology, sports, non-profits and the arts. Their widely divergent interests, backgrounds and views enliven panels and conversations in historic and scenic settings, over meals, on beaches, mountain trails, golf courses, tennis courts and bike paths.

With equally distinguished participants, all Renaissance Weekends foster lively exchanges which transcend ideological, political, economic and religious differences. This eclectic, non-partisan group - CEOs, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, Nobel Laureates and Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, artists and scientists, admirals, astronauts and Olympic athletes, judges and journalists, volunteers, diplomats and work-at-home parents, Presidents, Prime Ministers, professors and priests, Republicans, Democrats and lots of Independents, innovators from across America and several nations - has become for many an "extended family."

Civility prevails. Partisanship is frowned upon, and commercialism is banned. The participants' only common denominators are innovative achievements on a national or regional scale, a "renaissance spirit" with broad-ranging intellectual interests, and personal qualities which allow them to enjoy this off-the-record, highly informal tradition.

[edit] Objectives & History

Each Renaissance Weekend seeks to build bridges across traditional divides of professions and politics, geography and generations, religions and philosophies. For 25 years, although important relationships between participants have been a consequence, these family retreats' objective has been simply to encourage personal and national renewal.

Renaissance Weekends were conceived when friends were lamenting that, despite meeting fascinating people in our work and everyday lives, we rarely have occasion to learn from each other in a personal and substantive way. To that end, 60 families pioneered Ambassador and Mrs. Lader's 1981 New Year's house party. The result has been a cross-generational "continuing conversation" of accomplished individuals with broadly divergent perspectives, no political agenda, but a legacy of ideas and friendships that have fostered significant projects, ventures and public service.

Through hundreds of panels, seminars and workshops each Weekend, participants themselves address such public policy and personal concerns as "America's Responsibility to the World," "Investment Perspectives," "How the Media has Covered the War Against Terrorism," "Corporate Governance After Enron," "Beating Cancer," "My Family's Legacies for Life," and "Christianity, Judaism & Islam - Eternal Truths & Current Myths." For those who prefer in-depth consideration of specific issues, half-day Renaissance Academy® programs are organized by authorities on subjects ranging from "Prospects for the Middle East" to "Genomics & the Revolution in Life Sciences." An advanced management track challenges leaders in business and non-profits.

Music, laughter and quiet conversations are regular counterpoints to serious issues. For children ages 3-12, Camp Renaissance® consists of counselor-supervised educational activities, hands-on fun and youth panels such as "If I Were President" and "What 'Bugs Me' in the News." Teens participate in adult sessions, as well as their own recreational activities and discussions, on topics of particular interest to them.

The New Year's Weekend by design is the largest, most program-filled gathering. Other Weekends' settings and smaller sizes allow more time for relaxed conversation and sports, as well as adventure, scenic and educational outings.