On May 8–10, 2024, luminaries from across the globe convened to confront the most relevant global humanitarian challenges and find out the name of this year’s Aurora Prize Laureate. The Human Rights and Humanitarian Forum and other events, organize by the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative in partnership with The Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA LAW, ignited conversations, inspired action, and celebrated the resilience of the human spirit. 

Relive the most transformative moments from the gathering in Los Angeles through this photo gallery.

Armine Afeyan, Executive Director of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, greets the guests at the 2024 Aurora Prize Events Welcome Reception. May 8, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

Dr. Noubar Afeyan, Co-Founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and Co-Chair of the 2024 Aurora Prize Events in Los Angeles, welcomes the participants of the Human Rights and Humanitarian Forum. May 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

A dynamic discussion between Dr. Eric Esrailian, Member of the Aurora Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the 2024 Aurora Prize Events in Los Angeles, and Michael Milken, Chairman of the Milken Institute, kicks off the Human Rights and Humanitarian Forum. May 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

Zeid bin Ra’ad al Hussein, President and CEO of the International Peace Institute, delivers a keynote address on the power of human rights defenders at the Human Rights and Humanitarian Forum. May 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

The Aurora Prize Selection Committee convenes for a closed-door meeting to deliberate on the 2024 Aurora Prize Laureate, with some members joining remotely. May 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

David Ignatius, associate editor of The Washington Post, journalist and novelist, and Dalia Atallah, Aurora’s Amal Clooney Scholarship fellow and alumna of the UWC Dilijan in Armenia, are preparing to host the 2024 Aurora Prize Ceremony. May 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass presents the city’s Certificate of Recognition to Professor Hannah Garry, Executive Director of The Promise Institute for Human Rights at the UCLA School of Law, and Armine Afeyan, Executive Director of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, at the 2024 Aurora Prize Ceremony. May 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

Attendees of the 2024 Aurora Prize Ceremony watch a special video message from Chef José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen. May 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

Marguerite Barankitse, 2016 Aurora Prize Laureate and Founder of Maison Shalom, greets the guests at the 2024 Aurora Prize Ceremony. May 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

“The 2024 Aurora Events in Los Angeles are a testament to what we can achieve when we join forces with genuine, committed, and altruistic people like all of you.” Dr. Eric Esrailian, Chief of the UCLA Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Philanthropist, Film Producer, Entrepreneur, Aurora Board Member, welcomes the guests at the 2024 Aurora Prize Ceremony. May 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, addresses the attendees of the 2024 Aurora Prize Ceremony with words of comfort and peace. May 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

Virtuoso violinist Diana Adamyan performs Groong, written by the great Armenian composer Komitas, at the 2024 Aurora Prize Ceremony as a tribute to people suffering from modern-day atrocities. May 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

Actor, producer, director, and author Joe Manganiello speaks of the responsibility to tell the stories of genocide survivors like his great-grandmother in a special address at the 2024 Aurora Prize Ceremony. May 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

“Thanks to Aurora I met people who taught me the most important lesson: remaining true to human values and your own principles irrespective of the situation.’’ A poignant moment at the 2024 Aurora Prize Ceremony as Veronika Zonabend, the wife of the Aurora Co-Founder Ruben Vardanyan, reads his message written in a Baku prison. May 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Aloe Blacc debuts his new song 'SHINE' at the 2024 Aurora Prize Ceremony. The song is a tribute to all who bring the light of hope into the darkness, serving as an anthem that celebrates unwavering dedication to making a difference in others' lives. May 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

“Aurora stands for the forgotten – forgotten people, forgotten crises, forgotten genocides. We know what it’s like. We know the scars it leaves. And we stand in solidarity with all people who experience this today.” Dr. Noubar Afeyan, Co-Founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, delivers a speech at the 2024 Aurora Prize Ceremony. May 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

Little Aurora Manukian from Los Angeles reveals the name of the 2024 Aurora Prize Laureate — Dr. Denis Mukwege. May 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

2024 Aurora Prize Laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege, a world-renowned gynecological surgeon and human rights activist from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, receives a traditional vine at the Ceremony. May 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

A conversation with Co-Founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative Dr. Noubar Afeyan and Aurora Board Member Dr. Eric Esrailian, moderated by Raj Kumar, Founding President & Editor-in-Chief of Devex. May 10, 2024, Los Angeles, California.