“We all live in the same world. We’ll either destroy it or save it. Universal values, among them faith and love, are the key. We have no other way. In the 21st century, if we don’t change anything, we will destroy ourselves, and our children will have no future,” said Ruben Vardanyan, Co-Founder of Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, while enumerating five personal reasons for co-founding Aurora. He was more than convincing as he said that helping others – rather than money and authority – could make us stronger.
 

Compassion and selflessness were the main topics of the conversation with the 2019 Aurora Humanitarians. Three exceptional humanitarians shared their experience with the audience gathered in the American University of Armenia on October 17, 2019, and Dr. Karin Markides, AUA President, was the first to welcome the guests: “The Aurora’s mission is very close to our heart, and our partnership with the Aurora Prize dates back to the establishment [of the Initiative]. <…> Partnerships like this are essential to share the Armenian history and to build a better future for all of us.”

Since the launch of Aurora thousands of people have been nominated for the Prize from each corner of the world, and 14 Aurora Humanitarians were selected. Each of their stories is about courage, commitment and taking the risk to save lives. Admiring the braveness of each humanitarian working in remote and war-torn areas of the world, Noubar Afeyan, Co-Founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, delivered the notion of Aurora and Gratitude in Action.

“Aurora Prize is a relatively young initiative. It’s about four years old and it is an effort to bring to the world’s attention those living on the planet today that are saving the lives of others at great risk to their own lives and having a significant impact, particularly in the human rights and humanitarian spheres,” said Noubar Afeyan.

“The uniqueness of Aurora is that this Prize is given to people that are not yet well known in the world. These are people whose work is done in the shadows; it’s done almost in a vacuum. And one of the hopes of Aurora is that it will shine a spotlight on their work and highlight the plight of the people there are to serve,” added Tom Catena, Chair of Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and the 2017 Aurora Prize Laureate. Given his personal experience, he was uniquely positioned to explain the real impact of the Prize on those in need.  

Salpi Ghazarian, Director of the Institute of Armenian Studies (University of Southern California) and the moderator of the event, took the floor introducing the 2019 Aurora Humanitarians. “Aurora, among other NGOs, is doing this fundamental work; God’s work, men’s work, work that has to do with justice and with saving people’s lives. It’s not governments doing it; it’s people doing it.”

Mirza Dinnayi, Huda Al-Sarari and Zannah Bukar Mustapha were honored for their commitment for liberating women from ISIS captivity, challenging a network of secret prisons in Yemen and negotiating the release of kidnapped schoolgirls in Nigeria. 2019 Aurora Humanitarians told the story of their incredibly hard life-path. They revealed what had motivated them to continue saving others risking their own lives. It was a frank conversation with the audience about the past, the future and the Aurora itself.

“I think what Armenians and Aurora do is show the world that this is not only about Armenia. They are concerned about the entire world as we all share the same values, and only the victim can best understand other victims. The best understanding of genocide’s consequences have the people who have already survived the genocide,” said Mirza Dinnayi.

“I see the Aurora in other dimension too. I see it as a platform that can go beyond. This is something that can be replicated everywhere. This is a unique and special platform that can inspire a lot of people,” added Zannah Bukar Mustapha.

The Aurora Prize Laureate receives a $1,000,000 grant,  which gives him or her an opportunity to continue the cycle of giving by supporting organizations that have inspired their work. And every Humanitarian chosen by the Aurora Prize Selection Committee had their own plans regarding getting international attention and changing the world for better.

“The most important thing is that we have to believe in our mission, to keep working and getting strength from the faith of victims’ mothers and sisters with whom we work. <…> I see Armenia as a big country because it gives hope to human rights defenders in places where there is always lack of attention. I thank Armenia for hosting this Prize, and my thanks go to the victims of Armenian Genocide because they continue their struggle posthumously,” said Yemeni activist Huda Al-Sarari who shared her vision for the future work with the victims detained illegally in secret prisons of Yemen, and with their families.

Sometimes the passion to save lives and protect others takes these selfless people far from safety, but they never give up. They are truly outstanding and strong enough to inspire others with their own stories, revealing personal pain and suffering. Losing one’s child, being on the edge of death and finding strength to come back and continue the struggle – this is what makes them modern-day heroes. They are Aurora Humanitarians.  

The fourth annual Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity was awarded to Mirza Dinnayi, Co-Founder and Director of Luftbrücke Irak (Air Bridge Iraq) on October 20, 2019. He was named the 2019 Aurora Laureate at the Ceremony in Yerevan that was held during the Aurora Forum.

You can watch the full video of the Conversation below.