Humanitarian activism is in Vera Anush Nazarian’s blood. She has been an adviser at the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN and the chairwoman of the Iniciar for Global Action Foundation for the past seven years. She founded this organization in an effort to implement substantial changes and support sustainable development in vulnerable communities. For more than five years she has been working in South America to raise awareness of Chagas disease and to help people secure access to clean drinking water.
 

Born in Argentina, Vera has lived in the United States for more than 30 years. She obtained a Masters Degree in human rights, with a particular focus on women’s rights, from Columbia University. Her thesis was based on a comparative study of the situation around women’s rights in East and West Africa. She witnessed harsh conditions and experienced extreme situations: “At the same time as I was leaving Kenya, 60 people were killed in a dispute over access to water,” she recalls.   

Hearing it first hand

“Anything you read in a book can only be part of the story, especially regarding women,” Vera believes. “I saw the situation with my own eyes and I talked to many women. Their condition is far more vulnerable than we are told.”

During her many trips to Africa Vera really got to know the local communities. “African women are hard-working, cheerful and optimistic. They are always striving, they are never at rest. They want to make progress, to learn and to give their children a better future,” she explains. This desire to do better, however, is stifled by the gender inequality that plagues the region. “If there is money, it always goes to the boys, they always come before the women,” she says. “Girls have to help their mothers with household chores and often face a terrible situation: they are violated, their rights are trampled upon. They are expected to go and fetch water, which is not always easy to find. Sometimes it can take 10 hours to go and bring it back. The boys get bikes, but the women don’t. All the privilege goes to the men.”

Despite this bleak outlook there are a number of organizations and individuals working to alleviate the situation and give people hope. “There are NGOs and many people helping other people,” Vera says. “The Africans welcome them joyfully and want to establish partnerships with them. There’s so much to learn and we are working on it, we are listening to each other. When you work with these communities, you have to get everyone involved and keep them informed.”

Unsung heroes

“There are many people who do admirable work here. Most of them do it selflessly – they are the real unsung heroes. There is nothing suspicious about it; they do it from their hearts. Humanitarian work is not only about giving something physical, but also about volunteering, teaching, opening the door to others.”

In this context, the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity shines a light on many stories that have remained untold and honors those who have made an effort to help other people. “Awards of this nature don’t just raise the profile of many existing humanitarian projects, but also kick-start new ones in local communities. Good examples will be followed, or at least that is what we believe. Thanks to the founders of the Aurora Prize, the finalists not only promote their own humanitarian projects, but also see Armenian communities around the world from a different perspective. They see our history and the achievements of those who settled as immigrants, who have struggled to bring a better future to their families while also contributing to their new homes. That impact is stronger than anyone can imagine,” says Vera.

Nazarian has taken part in many forums and plenary sessions throughout Africa, dealing with gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, water scarcity and many other issues. She has conducted in-depth research into cases of human rights violations. “Africa has a bad reputation that inspires fear, but it also has vast potential – especially in the humanitarian field, because there is a lot to do. People in Africa want to learn, they are innovative. There are very young countries making huge progress. Women are playing an important role in all this despite facing strong patriarchal pressure,” she adds.

Vera’s family history has had a powerful influence on her: her grandparents were survivors of the Armenian Genocide.  A Turkish neighbor saved her grandfather Asadur Karaguezian. One hundred years later, Vera continues to share her gratitude with the world: “During the Genocide, there were many who helped our people, and in turn the diaspora helped the countries that welcomed them. Humanitarian work is something we need to pass on to each subsequent generation by setting the right example. We have to teach the act of giving: if someone knocks on the door, we should offer a plate of food. This is what I learned from my mother, and what my mother learned from my grandmother,” she says.

“Nothing comes from heaven. Everyone should be heard and the discussion has to include all voices. It’s important to work consensually, without imposing things,” Vera believes. “This is a time when young people have to put up a fight, they have to restore universal morality and local ethics. We have to be aware and protect our environment, learn to live in harmony with our surroundings without exploiting nature or each other.”