In keeping with the spirit of the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, the Aurora Dialogues will shine a light on the people who are working to address today’s atrocities in a real and substantial manner and seek to identify ideas that will deliver tangible change. The program will cover issues ranging from the root causes of the refugee crisis, to its disastrous effects and responses – from humanitarian relief to education, well-being and societal integration.
Through a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions and Q&A sessions, notable speakers will exchange knowledge and perspectives on the best ways to face these challenges and address actionable change.
2017 Aurora Dialogues Venues
UWC Dilijan
Established in 2014, UWC Dilijan is a unique educational institution located in Dilijan, a short distance from Armenia’s capital city, Yerevan. Part of the global UWC movement, UWC Dilijan is a community working towards a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable world through a balanced, challenging and transformative education with people from diverse backgrounds.
UWC Dilijan’s grounds extend over approximately 88 hectares of spectacular sloping and wooded countryside, located in the Dilijan National Park. A full member of the International Baccalaureate World School (Diploma), an academic program recognized by universities worldwide with the curriculum taught in English, the college aims to be an integral part of Dilijan and to have positive personal, local and global impact. All students are full boarders, and UWC Dilijan is currently home to 198 students from 72 different countries.
The highest international standards and most advanced environmentally friendly and renewable technologies were employed during the construction of UWC Dilijan campus. The project by Tim Flynn Architects is the first one in Armenia to receive a BREEAM certification. Tim Flynn Architects was involved in the selection of specifications and planning of all areas within the facility, in order to create a state-of-the-art academic building.
UWC Dilijan graduates continue their education in the leading universities worldwide – Yale, Columbia, UCL, School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS) University of London, Minerva Schools at KGI, McGill University, Duke, Queen Mary University of London, The University of Warwick, Berkeley, The University of Edinburgh and others.
Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran)
The second day of the 2017 Aurora Dialogues will be hosted at the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, also known as the Matenadaran. The Institute of Scientific Research on Ancient Manuscripts, named after the immortal creation of the Armenian alphabet in 405 and founder of the Armenian school Mesrop Mashtots is situated on one of the north-west scenic hills of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.
The collection of approximately 17,000 manuscripts includes almost every sphere of Armenian ancient and medieval science and culture - history, geography, philosophy, grammar, law, medicine, mathematics, literature, miniature and others, as well as manuscripts in Arabic, Persian, Greek, Syrian, Latin, Ethiopian, Indian, Japanese, etc.
Preservation work achieved by the Matenadaran brought instant recognition to this great Armenian manuscript depository. Individuals both in Armenia and foreign countries often donate manuscripts and preserved fragments to the Matenadaran.
The Matenadaran, one of the world’s richest depositories of medieval manuscripts, was chosen as a venue that represents the Armenian people’s passion for intellect and academic study of the historic milestones that have shaped humanity, in order to honor the past, present and future of intellectual discourse and debate.
ADDITIONAL AURORA DIALOGUES PROGRAMMING VENUES
The American University of Armenia
The American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private institution of higher learning, offering a global education in Armenia.
Founded in 1991, AUA provides a high-quality, graduate and undergraduate education that encourages civic engagement and promotes democratic values, fostering scholarship in a setting that values and develops academic excellence, free inquiry, integrity, scholarship, leadership, and service to society.
Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University
Russian-Armenian University was established following the inter-state agreement between the Republic of Armenia and Russian Federation in 1997. During the relatively short time of its existence, RAU has become a leading educational and scientific center in Armenia, proving to be an excellent model of integration in education.
Yerevan State Medical University
Currently, there are about 5.500 students enrolled in the studies at seven faculties of Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi; 1140 of them coming from different countries of the world. There are over 100 academic departments in the university structure, where academic and scientific activities are conducted – these workings are as well conducted in leading clinical facilities and research centres in Yerevan.
Yerevan State University
About 20000 students study at 19 faculties of Yerevan State University. Owing to highly qualified scientists significant researches related to different modern scientific branches are implemented at YSU. The educational and research activities are organized at more than 100 chairs, which are periodically replenished with modern techniques and equipment.