The Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Awarded for | Courage, commitment to a humanitarian cause and impact on the world |
Country | Armenia |
Presented by | Aurora Humanitarian Initiative |
First awarded |
|
No. of laureates | 7 laureates and 20 organizations as of 2022[update] |
Website | auroraprize |
The Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity is an international humanitarian award recognizing individuals for humanitarian work. It is awarded on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian genocide.[1]
The Aurora Prize ceremonies have taken place since April 24, 2016. The laureate of the prize receives $1,000,000.
History
[edit]The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative was founded by Noubar Afeyan, Vartan Gregorian, and Ruben Vardanyan. Tom Catena is inaugural chair of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative.[2]
The Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity is one of the projects of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative.[3] It was officially announced at 100 LIVES launch event in New York on March 10, 2015. The creation of the Aurora Prize was inspired by many stories of the rescue of Armenians during the Armenian genocide.
The prize is named after Aurora Mardiganian, a survivor of the Armenian genocide and the author of the book Ravished Armenia.[4]
The Aurora Humanitarian Index is an international opinion poll that measures attitudes about humanitarian issues and the impact of humanitarian intervention.[5]
The inaugural 2016 Aurora Dialogues were held on April 23, 2016, in Matenadaran, Yerevan. Participants included Hina Jilani, Shirin Ebadi and Gareth Evans.[6][7][8][9] 2017 Aurora Dialogues took place on May 27–28 in Armenia and on December 4–5 in Berlin, Germany.[10][11][12][13] In 2018, Aurora Dialogues were held in New York (in March[14] and September[15]), Moscow,[16] Yerevan[17] and Berlin.[18] 2019 Aurora Dialogues[19] took place in Armenia on October 17–21, 2019, during the inaugural Aurora Forum.[20][21] Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Aurora Dialogues were online in 2020.[22] Some of the Aurora Dialogues events were online in 2021. The 2021 Aurora Dialogues event titled “Health Security: Humanitarian Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic” was held at the Ca' Zenobio degli Armeni in Venice.[23]
Aurora Prize
[edit]Nominations are solicited from humanitarian organizations and the public.[24] The members of the Expert Panel[25] assess all eligible nominations according to the Aurora Prize selection criteria to narrow the overall list to 20-25 nominees for the Selection Committee's attention. This panel is composed of humanitarian professionals and leaders of humanitarian organizations. The selection of finalists and the Aurora Prize laureate is made by the independent Aurora Prize Selection Committee.[26]
2016 Aurora Prize
[edit]Selection Committee Inaugural Selection Committee of the prize included the late Nobel Prize laureate Elie Wiesel, as well as Óscar Arias, Shirin Ebadi and Leymah Gbowee, former president of Ireland Mary Robinson, human rights activist Hina Jilani, former Australian foreign minister and president emeritus of the International Crisis Group Gareth Evans, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York Vartan Gregorian and Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian George Clooney.[27]
Finalists
Ceremony The Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity inaugural ceremony was held on April 24, 2016, in Yerevan at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex.[30]
The ceremony was hosted by an Armenian opera diva Hasmik Papian and American journalist and novelist David Ignatius. The ceremony was opened by an animated film directed by Eric Nazarian featuring Serj Tankian's"Aurora's Dream" as the soundtrack.[31] Each of the finalists was introduced with a documentary mini-film directed by Andrei Loshak.[32]
The live music during the ceremony was performed by State Youth Orchestra of Armenia conducted by Sergey Smbatyan. The fanfares of the ceremony was composed by Stepan Shakaryan. The statuette, created by Manvel Matevosyan was presented with an excerpt from Two Suns, a ballet by the Ballet2021 Foundation dance troupe (choreographer Rudolf Kharatyan), accompanied by Avet Terteryan's and Arno Babajanyan's music. The State Youth Orchestra of Armenia performed an excerpt from Aram Khachaturyan's Symphony No. 2 (Bell Symphony). The co-hostess, soprano Hasmik Papian performed Barsegh Kanachyan's "Lullaby". The ceremony was concluded with the song "Pour toi, Arménie" (For you, Armenia) performed by Gevorg Hakobyan and the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia.[31]
Laureate The inaugural Aurora Prize was awarded to Marguerite Barankitse from Burundi.[33]
Barankitse chose Fondation Jean-Francois Peterbroeck, Foundation du Grand-Duc et de la Grande-Duchesse, Bridderlech Deelen to receive $1 million awards as part of the prize package.[34]
The statuette of the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity was created by Manvel Matevosyan and is called Towards Eternity.[35]
2017 Aurora Prize
[edit]Selection Committee The members of Selection Committee of 2017 Aurora Prize are George Clooney (co-chair), Vartan Gregorian, Oscar Arias, Shirin Ebadi, Gareth Evans, Leymah Gbowee, Hina Jilani, Mary Robinson and Ernesto Zedillo.[36][37]
Finalists The nominations for 2017 Aurora Prize were opened on June 1 and the finalists were:
- Ms. Fartuun Adan and Ms. Ilwad Elman
- Ms. Jamila Afghani
- Dr. Tom Catena
- Mr. Muhammad Darwish
- Dr. Denis Mukwege[38][39][40][41]
Laureate The 2017 Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity was awarded to Dr. Tom Catena.[42]
2018 Aurora Prize
[edit]Selection Committee The members of Selection Committee of 2018 Aurora Prize are George Clooney (co-chair), Vartan Gregorian, Oscar Arias, Shirin Ebadi, Gareth Evans, Leymah Gbowee, Hina Jilani, Mary Robinson, Ernesto Zedillo, Lord Ara Darzi,[43] Bernard Kouchner[44] and Samantha Power.[45]
Finalists
- Mr. Kyaw Hla Aung (1941-2021)[46]
- Fr. Héctor Tomás González Castillo[47]
- Mrs. Sunitha Krishnan[48]
Laureate The 2018 Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity was awarded to Mr. Kyaw Hla Aung.[49]
2019 Aurora Prize
[edit]Selection Committee
The members of Selection Committee of 2019 Aurora Prize are Oscar Arias, Shirin Ebadi, Leymah Gbowee, Mary Robinson, Hina Jilani, Gareth Evans, Ernesto Zedillo, Bernard Kouchner, Samantha Power, John Prendergast, Valery Gergiev, Vartan Gregorian, Lord Ara Darzi (chair), Benjamin Ferencz (honorary co-chair, 1920–2023) and George Clooney (honorary co-chair).
Finalists
Laureate The 2019 Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity was awarded to Mr. Mirza Dinnayi.[52]
2020 Aurora Prize
[edit]Selection Committee
The members of Selection Committee of 2020 Aurora Prize are Shirin Ebadi, Leymah Gbowee, Mary Robinson, Hina Jilani, Ernesto Zedillo, Bernard Kouchner, Samantha Power, Paul Polman, John Prendergast, Vartan Gregorian, Lord Ara Darzi (chair), Benjamin Ferencz (honorary co-chair, 1920–2023) and George Clooney (honorary co-chair).
Finalists
Laureate The 2020 Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity was awarded to Fartuun Adan and Ilwad Elman.
2021 Aurora Prize
[edit]Selection Committee
The members of Selection Committee of 2020 Aurora Prize are Shirin Ebadi, Leymah Gbowee, Mary Robinson, Hina Jilani, Ernesto Zedillo, Bernard Kouchner, Dele Olojede, John Prendergast, Vartan Gregorian, Lord Ara Darzi (chair), Benjamin Ferencz (honorary co-chair, 1920–2023) and George Clooney (honorary co-chair).
Finalists
- Grégoire Ahongbonon[55]
- Ruby Alba Castaño[56]
- Paul Farmer[57]
- Julienne Lusenge[58]
- Ashwaq Moharram[59]
Laureate
The sixth annual Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity was awarded to Julienne Lusenge, a human rights defender, co-founder of Women's Solidarity for Inclusive Peace and Development (SOFEPADI) and Fund for Congolese Women (FFC), who has been helping the victims of wartime sexual violence for years.
2022 Aurora Prize
[edit]Finalists
- Jamila Afghani[60]
- Hadi Jumaan[61]
- Mahienour El-Massry[62]
Laureate
The seventh Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity was awarded to Jamila Afghani, an educator, human rights defender, and founder of the Noor Educational and Capacity Development Organization (NECDO). Jamila has dedicated over 25 years of her life to giving the women of Afghanistan access to education.
2024 Aurora Prize
[edit]Selection Committee
The 2024 Aurora Prize Selection Committee includes Vice Chair of Clinton Foundation and Vice Chair of Clinton Health Access Initiative Chelsea Clinton, Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee; former President of Ireland Mary Robinson; President of Carnegie Corporation of New York Dame Louise Richardson; former President of Mexico Ernesto Zedillo; journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner Dele Olojede, former CEO of Unilever and Co-founder and Co-Chair of IMAGINE Paul Polman, founder and CEO of Chobani and founder of the Tent Partnership for Refugees Hamdi Ulukaya, and human rights activist and Co-founder of The Sentry John Prendergast. The Committee is chaired by the Co-Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London Lord Ara Darzi.
Finalists
Laureate
The eighth Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity was awarded to Dr. Denis Mukwege, a world-renowned gynecological surgeon and human rights activist from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Dr. Mukwege is the president of Panzi Hospital and Foundation in the DRC, which he founded in 1999 to address the systemic issue of maternal healthcare and maternal mortality. Amidst ongoing conflict and critical healthcare needs stemming from war, the hospital has become one of the world’s preeminent treatment centers for survivors of sexual violence in conflict.
References
[edit]- ^ "George Clooney, The Aurora Prize And Hope In Armenia". Forbes. April 29, 2016.
- ^ Burger, John (December 11, 2018). "American doctor who runs remote hospital in Sudan now chairs worldwide humanitarian initiative". Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
- ^ "Beneficiaries of $1 Million Aurora Prize Announced". Armenian Weekly. August 25, 2016.
- ^ "100 years later in New York: #BeArmenian, #BeAlive". Mediamax. March 11, 2015.
- ^ "World Refugee Day: Please don't make it just another day". USA Today. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
- ^ "Aurora Dialogues։ Armenia to present a new say to the world". Panorama.am. April 22, 2016.
- ^ "First-Ever Aurora Dialogues To Provide Platform For Humanitarian Discussion". Asbarez. April 19, 2016.
- ^ "Humanitarian issues in the center of attention of the world: Aurora dialogues". A1+. April 23, 2016.
- ^ Hairenik (April 18, 2016). "Humanitarian Leaders to Gather in Armenia for Aurora Prize Ceremony". Armenian Weekly. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- ^ Mirak-Weissbach, Muriel (December 14, 2017). "Armenians Hold Aurora Dialogues in Berlin". The Armenian Mirror-Spectator. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- ^ "Vardanyan: holding Aurora Dialogues outside Armenia "very important"". mediamax.am. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- ^ "Armenians Hold Aurora Dialogues in Berlin". haydzayn.am. Archived from the original on January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- ^ "John Prendergast speaking at Aurora Dialogues - The Enough Project". The Enough Project. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- ^ "Aurora Dialogues New York 2018". HEART 9/11. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
- ^ "Growing Roots in the Future: Building a Global Movement for Refugee Self-Reliance". Trickle Up. October 25, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
- ^ "Experts Gathered in Moscow to Explore the Future of Social Impact". IDeA (Initiatives for Development of Armenia). April 30, 2018.
- ^ "Global Perspectives | GP Conference "Aurora Dialogues Yerevan 2018"". Global Perspectives Initiative. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
- ^ "Aurora Dialogues Berlin 2018". Global Perspectives Initiative. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
- ^ Arkun, Aram (December 12, 2019). "Hermitage Director Piotrovsky Comes from Russia with Love (for Armenia)". The Armenian Mirror-Spectator. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- ^ "The Aurora Forum Will Capitalize on Armenia's Potential". Armenian Weekly. May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- ^ "2019 Aurora Dialogues". Aurora Prize. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- ^ "Aurora Humanitarian Initiative". auroraprize.com. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ "2021 Aurora Dialogues Overview: Health Security: Humanitarian Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic". auroraprize.com. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ "Nominations open for Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity". PanArmenian.net. July 9, 2015.
- ^ "The Aurora prize". Aurora Prize. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
- ^ "Nominations For 2017 Aurora Prize For Awakening Humanity Are Now Closed". Lragir.am. September 10, 2016.
- ^ "Aurora Prize Selection Committee Meets to Deliberate on Finalists". Asbarez. March 14, 2016.
- ^ "The 100 Most Influential People". Time.
- ^ "A Look at the Four Finalists of the 2016 Aurora Prize". The Huffington Post. May 5, 2016.
- ^ "Aurora Prize Ceremony Kicks Off". Armenpress. April 24, 2016.
- ^ a b "Inaugural Aurora Prize Held In Yerevan". Asbarez. April 25, 2016.
- ^ "Good can triumph – Andrey Loshak". A1+. July 15, 2016.
- ^ "Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity 2006 programme" (PDF). Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- ^ "Beneficiaries of $ 1 mln award from Aurora Prize confirmed". Mediamax. August 19, 2016.
- ^ "Aurora Prize winner received statuette created by sculptor Manvel Matevosyan". A1+. April 25, 2016.
- ^ "Aurora Prize: The Selection Committee". Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- ^ "Nominations for the 2017 Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity Now Closed". Hetq. September 9, 2016.
- ^ Aurora Prize. 2017 finalists.
- ^ AUA Newsroom. June 1, 2017. AUA Co-hosts Conversation with the 2017 Aurora Prize Finalists.
- ^ UK Fundraising. 2017 Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity awarded to Dr Tom Catena. May 31, 2017.
- ^ "Garowe Online". Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- ^ "Dr. Tom Catena on being named the 2017 Aurora Prize Laureate". AuroraPrize.com.
- ^ Seed, Jo (September 6, 2017). "Lord Ara Darzi joins Aurora Prize Selection Committee". Imperial College London.
- ^ "Bernard Kouchner Joins the Aurora Prize Selection Committee". mediamax.am. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- ^ "Samantha Power joins Aurora Prize selection committee". news.am. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
- ^ "Three humanitarian activists nominated for $1.1 million Aurora Prize". news.am. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
- ^ "2018 Aurora Prize nominees announced". Public Radio of Armenia. April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
- ^ "Sunitha Krishnan named for humanitarian award". Deccan Chronicle. April 25, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
- ^ May, Melanie (June 12, 2018). "Rohingya humanitarian & activist Kyaw Hla Aung awarded 2018 Aurora Prize". UK Fundraising. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
- ^ "2019 Aurora Prize nominees announced". Oman News. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
- ^ "Equal Rights Trust Celebrates Yemeni human rights defender Huda Al-Sarari's recognition as an Aurora Humanitarian". Equal Rights Trust. May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
- ^ "2019 Aurora Prize Ceremony to take place in Armenia". Aurora Prize. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
- ^ "Aurora Initiative Announces Humanitarian Candidates on April 24". The Armenian Mirror-Spectator. April 30, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
- ^ "2020 Aurora Humanitarians Announced". Armenian Weekly. April 25, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
- ^ "Gregoire Ahongbonon: Freeing people chained for being ill". BBC News. February 17, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ "Ruby Alba Castaño". Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ "A Million Dollar Prize For A Doc Who Believes In 'Accompaniment'". NPR. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ "Julienne Lusenge (Democratic Republic of the Congo) | Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs". eca.state.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ "One woman's lonely struggle against famine in Yemen". BBC News. September 21, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ "Escaping the Taliban". The Tällberg Foundation. September 30, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ^ "The Observers - A volunteer recovers fallen fighters in Yemen, teachers protest in Mayotte, and migrants fight to stay in Belarus". France 24. December 13, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ^ "Mahienour El-Masry released on bail". Front Line Defenders. July 22, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ^ "The Aurora Prize Announces the 2024 Aurora Humanitarians". auroraprize.com. Retrieved September 19, 2023.