The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative has announced additions to the 2019 Selection Committee for the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity.  

During the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative’s Chronicle of Compassion event in Moscow, co-founder Ruben Vardanyan announced two new additions to the prestigious Selection Committee for the Aurora Prize. Joining the Committee are celebrated human rights advocate and campaigner John Prendergast as well as famed Moscow based conductor and patron of the arts, Valery Gergiev.

At the Chronicle of Compassion event, Ruben Vardanyan said: “It is an honour to welcome two leading international figures to join the Aurora Prize Selection Committee. The Selection Committee is a truly global body representing leading lights of modern humanitarianism and shows that the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative continues to be a beacon during a dark time.

John Prendergast has been a powerful voice and long-time champion of initiatives to prevent genocide in central and east Africa and he brings with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Through his own charitable foundation Valery Gergiev has been an advocate for the power of culture and music to support young gifted musicians as well as organising charity concerts whose proceeds go to those in need. We know both members will bring fresh perspectives and dynamism to their roles”

John Prendergast is a world renowned human rights activist and founder of the Enough Project, an initiative established to end genocide and crimes against humanity, as well as the Co-Founder with George Clooney of The Sentry, and board member of Not On Our Watch (NOOW). He has worked in and written extensively about pressing issues in Sudan, Darfur, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Valery Gergiev is a widely-respected conductor based in the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. He was a former Principal Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and has performed in over 45 countries around the world. He founded the charitable Valery Gergiev Foundation to support the growth of artistic, social and cultural projects in Russia and promote young gifted performers and musical groups performing classical music.