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.

You can watch the full video of the Aurora Dialogues event titled “Addressing Humanitarian Needs: From Global Strategies to Local Action” below.