“The Aurora pledge is a reflection of that collective belief that even in the darkest times, a brighter future is in the hands of those who can give help and hope. And so it is by helping those people on the ground that Aurora is able to make the kind of difference it does,” said CNN Host Fareed Zakaria in his video address at the Tribute to the 2024 Aurora Humanitarians session that was held during the Human Rights and Humanitarian Forum on May 9.

The Forum featured world leaders, activists, entrepreneurs, and academics who came together to ponder topics including the global healthcare crisis, forced displacement, climate change, the right to education, AI, philanthropy, and gender justice, among other topics. During the Forum, a session paying tribute to the 2024 Aurora Humanitarians explored their impactful achievements while shedding light on the complexities of humanitarian work. It was preceded by a special video address from Mr. Zakaria, who praised the 2024 Aurora Humanitarians, saying: “These three reflect, in some ways, the highest values that Aurora embodies, but I think they also reflect something that we should always remember – that even in these dark times, there’s enormous hope.”

This Tribute to the 2024 Aurora Humanitarians provided an insightful exploration into their impactful work and remarkable achievements. It was co-hosted by Dele Olojede, Pulitzer Prize winner, Chairman of the Board of the Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship, and Aurora Prize Selection Committee member; Professor Hannah R. Garry, Executive Director of The Promise Institute for Human Rights at the UCLA School of Law; and Armine Afeyan, Executive Director of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative.

You can watch the full video of the event below.