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The Asset Building Program hosted an Wednesday, July 11 in conjunction with the release of the July/August issue of . Themed “The Future of Success,” the issue focuses on the increasing relevance of asset building in the lives of all Americans, as employment alone has lost the ability to sustain a vibrant and dynamic middle class.

Panelists included authors of specific articles, who used those pieces as a springboard to discuss an array of issues. discussed the evolution of the job market and the inadequacy of employment alone in , homeownership and a secure retirement. described the history of the asset building movement and concluded that asset building policies have shown their merit and applicability to modern problems and urged efforts to take them to scale. examined research showing that assets beget assets, namely that savings accounts for children increase the likelihood of those children achieving a life-changing college degree. offered a variety of policy solutions to promote asset building and increased opportunity for all Americans.

The second panel, moderated by Washington Monthly Editor , explored the political ramifications of the current financial climate and how the concept of asset building offers potential solutions. David Leonhardt of the New York Times and Heather McGhee, Vice President of Policy and Outreach at Demos, were the other participants in a discussion that dug deep into the challenges of promoting college access, saving for a secure retirement and promoting economic security.

to view the full list of articles included in the special issue.

Panel One

Senior Research Fellow, ������Ƶ Foundation
Jobs are Not Enough
 

Bernard L. Schwartz Fellow, ������Ƶ Foundation
The “Assets Effect”
 

Director, Asset Building Program,  ������Ƶ Foundation
The Asset Agenda
 
Mark Schmitt
Senior Fellow, Roosevelt Institute
Michael Sherraden’s Compounding Interest
 
Panel Two
Paul Glastris
Editor, The Washington Monthly

David Leonhardt
New York Times columnist

Heather McGhee
Vice President of Policy and Outreach, Demos

Participants