2021 Aurora Prize Events in Venice
The 2021 Aurora Prize events took place on October 8-10, 2021, in Venice, Italy, and celebrated the lasting connection between this universally valued cultural site and the spirit of Aurora, with its deeply embedded respect for the human life.
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THE AURORA
HUMANITARIAN INITIATIVE
The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is a foundation that seeks to address on-the-ground humanitarian challenges around the world with the focus on helping the most destitute. Its mission is rooted in the Armenian history as the Initiative was founded on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors and strives to transform this experience into a global movement.
ABOUT THE AURORA PRIZE
OUR PURPOSE
On behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors, the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity will be granted annually to an individual whose actions have had an exceptional impact on preserving human life and advancing humanitarian causes.
The Aurora Prize Laureate will be honored with a US $1,000,000 award and will have the unique opportunity to continue the cycle of giving by nominating and supporting organizations that help people in need.
Photo: Julienne Lusenge trains women and girls to be the agents of change @ Jonathan Torgovnik/AJWS
THE AURORA PRIZE SELECTION COMMITTEE
Read moreElie Wiesel (1928 – 2016)
First Co-Chair
President of the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity; Nobel Laureate
Read moreLord Ara Darzi
Chair
Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London
Read moreGeorge Clooney
Honorary Co-Chair
Co-founder, The Sentry; Humanitarian, performer and film maker
Read moreBenjamin Ferencz
Honorary Co-Chair
Lawyer, Human Rights Activist
Read moreShirin Ebadi
Member
Human Rights Lawyer and Iran's first female judge; Nobel Laureate
Read moreLeymah Gbowee
Member
Liberian peace activist and women’s rights advocate; Nobel Laureate
Read moreVartan Gregorian (1934 - 2021)
Member
Co-founder, Aurora Humanitarian Initiative; President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York
Read moreHina Jilani
Member
Former United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders
Read moreBernard Kouchner
Member
Co-founder, Médecins Sans Frontières; Former French Foreign Minister
Read moreDele Olojede
Member
Journalist, Writer, Pulitzer Prize Winner
Read morePaul Polman
Member
Co-founder and Co-chair, IMAGINE
Read moreJohn Prendergast
Member
Human Rights Activist and Co-founder, The Sentry
Read moreMary Robinson
Member
Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Former President of Ireland
Read moreErnesto Zedillo
Member
Director, Yale Center for the Study of Globalization; Former President of Mexico
Read moreElie Wiesel (1928 – 2016)
First Co-Chair
President of the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity; Nobel Laureate
Read moreLord Ara Darzi
Chair
Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London
In Honor of Vartan Gregorian
Vartan Gregorian
(1934 - 2021)
Vartan Gregorian, Aurora Humanitarian Initiative Co-Founder and member of the Aurora Prize Selection Committee, passed away in April 2021.
He overcame countless challenges and built a career that spanned several decades and crossed the lines of academia, philanthropy, and culture within and beyond the United States. Committed to the eradication of genocide, discrimination, and persecution, he has become a mentor and a beacon of hope for all inspired by his empathy and determination.
Aurora is forever grateful for his vision, and his legacy will live on.
Programs
Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity
The Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity is a global award that recognizes those who risk their lives, health or freedom to save the lives, health or freedom of others.
Aurora Dialogues
The Aurora Dialogues allow international humanitarians, academics, business and civil society leaders to seek solutions for the most pressing humanitarian challenges.
Aurora Community
The Aurora Community program brings together selfless individuals doing vital work on the local level, providing them with a much-needed support system.
Aurora Grants
The Aurora Grants honor the memory of Armenian Genocide survivors’ saviors by supporting educational and humanitarian projects and preserving Armenian heritage.
#AraratChallenge
#AraratChallenge is a global crowdfunding initiative reflecting the impact of the Aurora humanitarian movement in Armenia and Armenian communities globally.
Aurora for Artsakh
The Aurora for Artsakh program helps the people of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) facing a grave humanitarian crisis in the aftermath of the war and promotes social development in the region.
Aurora Index
The Aurora Index is a survey examining public perceptions of major humanitarian issues.
100 LIVES
100 LIVES, launched to commemorate the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, collects and shares the stories of Armenian Genocide survivors, their saviors and descendants.