On September 24, 2024, Aurora held an Aurora Dialogues event titled “Addressing Humanitarian Needs: From Global Strategies to Local Action.” The discussion was organized on the sidelines of the 79th high-level convening of the UN General Assembly in New York City, where global leaders converged to address pressing international issues.
The Dialogues opened with welcome remarks from Armine Afeyan, CEO of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, who shared her personal connection as a first-generation Armenian American and emphasized Aurora’s mission to spotlight the stories of vulnerable people and those who help them. “With every crisis that unfolds, in every population that gets displaced, new diasporas form. They come from all places; they go to all places; they cover all corners of the world, but they have something in common — survivorship. Crises create diasporas of survivors. They are uniquely equipped to adapt and grow, and in many cases help others do the same,” said Ms. Afeyan.
“Many of the world’s displaced are fleeing conflicts that have lasted for years, even decades. And whether it’s in Afghanistan, or Syria, or Myanmar, or Venezuela, these are not momentary flashpoints,” noted Annie Nolte-Henning, Executive Director of the Community Sponsorship Hub, “For millions, this means enduring the slow, grinding reality of a forced displacement, and so, in the face of such conflicts, humanitarian efforts are vital to saving lives, and sponsorship is a way we can all be humanitarians in our own communities.” She also emphasized the ripple effect of humanitarian acts and introduced the Welcome Corps program, which empowers local population to sponsor refugees and build inclusive communities.
Julieta Valls Noyes, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, highlighted the stories of her family and many others fleeing from Cuba, and talked about the impact of the Welcome Corps that inspires everyday Americans to be humanitarians. “There are a lot of places in the world where there are a lot of people who need support. There’s a lot of suffering. But refugee resettlement is truly a durable solution for these people. And it is a source of hope, and you are part of that solution. It can be hard to find glimmers of light sometimes in this complicated world of ours, but tonight’s gathering is one, as far as I’m concerned. So, thank you all so much.”
Panelists Basma Alawee, Deputy Executive Director of the Community Sponsorship Hub; Becca Heller, CEO and Co-Founder of the International Refugee Assistance Project; Josephine Kulea, Founder and Executive Director of the Samburu Girls Foundation; and Dr. Iftikher Mahmood, Founder of the HOPE Foundation for Women & Children of Bangladesh, then took the stage, prompted by moderator Jenni Cardamone, Vice President of Partnerships at Devex.
Josephine Kulea, Founder and Executive Director of the Samburu Girls Foundation, highlighted the importance of empowering local grassroots leaders, particularly women and girls, by providing them with platforms to share their ideas and ensuring strong partnerships with international organizations. “When you’re an outsider, you cannot bring us solutions. We know the solutions to our own problems—hold our hand, and we can solve them together,” stated Ms. Kulea. “Don’t bring us your modernized ways to solve issues, because they won’t work at the local level. Trust us to do what we do best, and we can achieve great things together.”
Dr. Iftikher Mahmood, Founder of the HOPE Foundation for Women & Children of Bangladesh, agreed with that point, emphasizing the critical need for funding and empowerment for local organizations that are on the ground, especially when international aid shifts focus during crises. “After international aid workers leave, it’s the local organizations like ours that remain. We are financially and resource-restrained, yet we continue to care for the displaced. The solution lies in building local capacity—supporting those who are there, so we can move forward together,” explained Dr. Mahmood.
“I really feel like we are not investing as much in peacebuilding as we should be, or really engaging diplomatic efforts that put people first and really engage people who are affected by these issues in the first round. <…> Xenophobia, and fear, and prejudice of others have been really an issue that we continue to face,” pointed out Basma Alawee, Deputy Executive Director of the Community Sponsorship Hub. She went on to talk about the need for global leaders to address these root causes and sustain the work of welcoming refugees.
Becca Heller, CEO and Co-Founder of the International Refugee Assistance Project, pondered the importance of leveraging the knowledge of individuals with lived experience and the necessary skills to address the challenges faced by migrants. “Another type of knowledge is needed skills. So, midwives, and forgive me for saying this, but lawyers, right? I think a lot of people have problems that essentially boil down to a legal issue, and we currently still live in a system where you need a lawyer to fix that for you, especially people who have hope and people who have ideas,” observed Ms. Heller.
Bringing the discussion to its conclusion, moderator Jenni Cardamone, Vice President of Partnerships at Devex, thanked the panelists and encouraged all attendees to answer the call for action. “We all can do our part. That is the takeaway from today. Learn more, donate, get involved. There’s no way too small,” noted Ms. Cardamone. “Nominate a candidate that’s inspiring for the Aurora Prize. Nominations are now open on the website. And finally, as we think about local action and tying these together, find your local US community and get involved with the Community Sponsorship Hub.”
The event concluded with a performance by chart-topping, Grammy-nominated artist Aloe Blacc, who captivated the audience with several songs, including his new single “SHINE.” A dedicated advocate for social issues, Blacc has recently partnered with the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. His anthem “SHINE” draws inspiration from the courage and determination of Aurora Humanitarians who fight for justice and humanity. “It was my honor to try to translate the depth of the work that the Laureates do, that Humanitarians do all across the world. One thing that I know is true is that folks who are willing to stand in the face of mortal danger to save the lives of others are doing things their way. They’ve taken the risk that others wouldn’t take,” said Aloe Blacc.