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Aurora Impact

Aurora Impact

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

About Aurora

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

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THE AURORA PRIZE SELECTION COMMITTEE

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Elie Wiesel (1928 – 2016)

First Co-Chair

President of the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity; Nobel Laureate

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Lord Ara Darzi

Chair

Co-Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London

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George Clooney

Honorary Co-Chair

Co-founder, The Sentry; Humanitarian, performer and film maker

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Shirin Ebadi

Member

Human Rights Lawyer and Iran's first female judge; Nobel Laureate

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Leymah Gbowee

Member

Liberian peace activist and women’s rights advocate; Nobel Laureate

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Hina Jilani

Member

Former United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders

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Dele Olojede

Member

Journalist, Writer, Pulitzer Prize Winner

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Paul Polman

Member

Business leader, climate and equalities campaigner

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Dame Louise Richardson

Member

President, Carnegie Corporation of New York

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John Prendergast

Member

Human Rights Activist and Co-founder, The Sentry

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Mary Robinson

Member

Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Former President of Ireland

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Ernesto Zedillo

Member

Director, Yale Center for the Study of Globalization; Former President of Mexico

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Vartan Gregorian (1934 - 2021)

Member

Co-founder, Aurora Humanitarian Initiative; President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York

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Benjamin Ferencz (1920-2023)

Honorary Co-Chair

Lawyer, Human Rights Activist

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Elie Wiesel (1928 – 2016)

First Co-Chair

President of the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity; Nobel Laureate

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Lord Ara Darzi

Chair

Co-Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London

In Honor of Vartan Gregorian

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 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 Grants

    The Aurora Grants honor the memory of Armenian Genocide survivors’ saviors by supporting educational and humanitarian projects and preserving Armenian heritage.

  • 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.

  • #AraratChallenge

    #AraratChallenge is a global crowdfunding initiative reflecting the impact of the Aurora humanitarian movement in Armenia and Armenian communities globally.

  • 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.