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Page 1: On Behalf of the Survivors of the Armenian Genocide · 2017-01-24 · On Behalf of the Survivors of the Armenian Genocide ... M H J M A G E L G R Vardanyan. In the shadow of Mount
Page 2: On Behalf of the Survivors of the Armenian Genocide · 2017-01-24 · On Behalf of the Survivors of the Armenian Genocide ... M H J M A G E L G R Vardanyan. In the shadow of Mount

On Behalf of the Survivors of the Armenian Genocideand in Gratitude to Their Saviors

N O U B A R A F E YA N VA RTA N G R E G O R I A N RU B E N VA R DA N YA N

Co-Founders of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative

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“ Human Suffering AnywhereConcerns Men and Women

Everywhere. ”

E L I E W I E S E L

1 9 2 8 – 2 0 1 6 _________

Inaugural Co-Chair of theAurora Prize Selection Committee

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Elie Wiesel’s wisdom will be missed, but his counsel will not be forgotten.

t a time when a staggering 65.3 million

people are homeless and displaced,

and 33,000 more are forced to flee their

homes each day because of conflict or

persecution, our humanity impels us to help

save lives and offer hope.

As descendants of Armenian Genocide

survivors, we recognize that we have survived

and thrived thanks to the audacity and sacrifice

of those who intervened to rescue our ancestors.

It is in memory of those rare, selfless saviors

that we created the Aurora Prize for Awakening

Humanity – a global humanitarian award

dedicated to raising public consciousness about

man’s very real inhumanity to man, about the

atrocities that destroy lives, and most

importantly, about the extraordinary human

beings who endanger their own lives to save

others.

The Aurora Prize will seek to identify and honor

those who have chosen to do the unexpected,

to oppose evil, to risk life, health and security, to

dare to save their fellow man, under conditions

of extreme duress. These are the heroes who

lead through selfless example, and serve as

lights in the harrowing darkness of despair and

hopelessness. They deserve the Aurora Prize

because, by their lives, they do indeed awaken

the humanity in each of us. We owe them our

gratitude and pledge to them our support.

A

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AURORA PRIZEFOR AWAKENING HUMANITY

The Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity is a global humanitarian award established to

recognize modern day heroes and the exceptional impact their actions have made on preserving

human life and advancing humanitarian causes. The Aurora Prize will be given annually on

behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors. It is one of the

projects of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative which is committed to building a broader

humanitarian movement.

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More than a century ago, one and

a half million Armenians were

systematically exterminated on

orders of the Ottoman Turkish government.

Those who endured did so thanks to the

generosity of strangers who jeopardized their

own safety by offering refuge and hope to the

dispossessed survivors.

Today, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative,

established by the grandsons of survivors, is an

expression of gratitude and a celebration of the

strength of the human spirit.

The Aurora Prize showcases an individual

whose actions have had an exceptional impact

on preserving human life and advancing

humanitarian causes in the face of adversity.

That individual, or Laureate, will receive a

$100,000 grant, as well as the unique

opportunity to continue the cycle of giving

by nominating organizations that inspired

their work to receive a $1,000,000 award.

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Shining a Light on Today’s

HEROESH U M A N I T A R I A N

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From left to right: Aurora Prize Co-Founder Ruben Vardanyan, Laureate Marguerite Barankitse

and Selection Committee Co-Chair George Clooney

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Every year humanitarian organizations and members of the public are

invited to nominate individuals they believe have overcome great external

challenges to make an exceptional impact on preserving human life and

advancing humanitarian causes.

Any individual or group that commits an extraordinary act of humanity

can be nominated to receive the Aurora Prize. Self-nominations are

not permitted.

Nominations are carefully vetted and undergo a rigorous review

process. The final selection is made by an independent Selection

Committee, which bases its decision on the nominee’s demonstration

of courage, commitment and impact.

Nominations are made online at www.AuroraPrize.com

Nominating Candidates for the Aurora Prize

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In addition to receiving the grant, Aurora Prize Laureates are asked

to nominate the organizations that inspired their work to receive

$1,000,000.

Qualified organizations must operate on a not-for-profit basis and act

in the public interest with a mission to benefit humankind. This

could include, but is not limited to, providing relief to the poor, advancing

education, improving social welfare, preserving culture, preserving

or restoring the environment, promoting human rights, establishing

civil society and/or advancing healthcare.

For specific eligibility requirements and criteria for individuals

and organizations, visit www.AuroraPrize.com

Continuing the Cycle of Giving:Nominating Inspiring Organizations

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Marguerite Barankitse, as 2016 Aurora Prize Laureate, selected the following organizations

that inspired her work to receive a $1 million award:

THE $ 1 M I L L I O N AWA R D IS NOW FUNDINGSEVERAL INITIATIVES ACROSS FOUR COUNTRIES

Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity

IMPACTS COMMUNITIESAROUND THE WORLD

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RWANDAMaison Shalom will provide young Burundian refugees with education. Burundian refugees will also receive support for university and higher education alongside economic recovery initiatives.

BRAZIL100 children and 67 adults will participate in a citizenship education program at the CACEF Reception Centre in one of the poorest areas of Rio de Janeiro.

D.R. CONGOYoung women and girls affected by displacement, abandonment or abuse will receive reintegration, education and economic support.

RWANDASchool infrastructure will be improved through renovation and reconstruction of classrooms, offices, latrine facilities and rainwater pipes.

ETHIOPIA200 young Eritrean refugees coming to Ethiopia will receive vocational training and education.

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C O M M I T T E ESelection

A group of exceptional individuals with notable achievements in the field of

human rights select the Aurora Prize Laureate.

AURORA PRIZE

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he inaugural Selection Committee members were appointed in 2015.

Members of the Selection Committee review a shortlist of candidates,

drawing upon their own expertise, nomination forms and additional

information assembled by the Secretariat, in order to determine the

finalists and Aurora Prize Laureate.

www.AuroraPrize.com

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T

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AURORA PR IZE FOR AWAKENING HUMANITY

ELECTION COMMITTEEs

G E O RG E C LO O N E Y

Co-Chair______

Co-Founder, Not On Our Watch;

Humanitarian; performer

and film maker

VA RTA N G R E G O R I A N

Member______

Co-Founder, Aurora Humanitarian

Initiative; President of the

Carnegie Corporation of New York

O S C A R A R I A S

Member______

Nobel Laureate;

Two-time President of

Costa Rica

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AURORA PR IZE FOR AWAKENING HUMANITY

ELECTION COMMITTEEs

S H I R I N E B A D I

Member______

Nobel Laureate;

Human Rights Lawyer

Iran’s first female judge

G A R E T H E VA N S

Member______

President Emeritus of the

International Crisis Group;

Former Australian Foreign Minister

L E Y M A H G B O W E E

Member______

Nobel Laureate;

Liberian peace activist

and women’s rights advocate

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AURORA PR IZE FOR AWAKENING HUMANITY

ELECTION COMMITTEEs

H I N A J I L A N I

Member______

Former UN Special Representative

of the Secretary-General on

Human Rights Defenders

M A R Y RO B I N S O N

Member______

Former UN High Commissioner

for Human Rights;

Former President of Ireland

E R N E S TO Z E D I L LO

Member______

Director, Yale Center for the

Study of Globalization; Former

President of Mexico

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YEAR ONE: T H E J O U R N E Y ofAURORA in its INAUGURAL YEAR

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MARCH 2015

The Aurora Prize launchedin New York.

MARCH 2016

The Selection Committee metto deliberate on the submitted

nominations.

APRIL 22-24, 2016

Inaugural Aurora Prize Ceremony and weekend of special events were held in

Yerevan, Armenia.

JULY 2015

Nominations opened for theinaugural Aurora Prize. In its firstyear, 186 nominations were receivedfor 113 unique candidatesfrom 27 countries.

MARCH 2016

The four Aurora Prize finalistswere announced.

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Co-Founders of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative Noubar Afeyan, Ruben Vardanyan, Vartan Gregorian

with Aurora Prize Selection Committee Co-Chair George Clooney

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Convening Champions for GlobalHUMANITAR IAN D IALOGUE

wE E K E N DMore than 700 people gathered in Yerevan, Armenia on

April 22-24, 2016, for the presentation of the inaugural

Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity and weekend of

special events.

the AURORA PRIZE

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From left to right: John Prendergast, Anna Gunnarson Afeyan, Noubar Afeyan, Aloys Kabanda, Veronika Zonabend, George Clooney, Shirin Ebadi, Vartan Gregorian, Syeda Ghulam Fatima, Marguerite Barankitse, Hina Jilani, Marine Ales, Gareth Evans, Leymah Gbowee, Ruben Vardanyan.

In the shadow of Mount Ararat

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From left to right: His Holiness Karekin II, George Clooney, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.

The Armenian Genocide Memorial (Tsitsernakaberd)

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Convening the Aurora Dialogues

Members of the global humanitarian community participated in the

Aurora Dialogues – a platform for discussions of the most pressing

humanitarian challenges of the day. The Dialogues were held on

April 23, 2016.

Participants, including Selection Committee members Hina Jilani,

Shirin Ebadi and Gareth Evans, offered their views on the global

refugee crisis, the role of women in the humanitarian community,

and the role of the media in bringing humanitarian crises to the world’s

attention.

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Participants and Attendees of the Aurora Dialogues

Matenadaran-Scientific Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts named after Mesrop Mashtots24

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From left to right: Marguerite Barankitse, Josephine Kulea, Nancy Soderberg, Syeda Ghulam Fatima, Leymah Gbowee.Aurora Dialogues

Ted Koppel Vartan Gregorian

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Launchingthe Humanitarian Index

Introduced during the Aurora Dialogues, this specially commissioned

study measured public perception of top humanitarian issues, based on

4,600 people in six countries. The study’s findings revealed the global

disconnect between perception and reality vis-à-vis the refugee crisis,

by exploring respondents’ opinions on the need and responsibility for

international intervention.

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WHERE REFUGEES COME FROM COMPASSION GAPThe public demonstrated little awareness about where refugees actually come from, associating the refugee crisis with Syria, ignoring other forced migration routes.

The public feels compassion forrefugees but

UK & Francemisinformedabout Libya

U.S. misinformed

about Mexico

Informed: The publicknows large numbersof refugees come from these countries.

Misinformed: The public overestimates the number of refugees coming from these countries.

Uninformed: The public does not realize large numbers of refugees come from these countries.

The public correctly identifies SYRIA, AFGHANISTAN and SOMALIA as the main countries of origin for refugees. They are, however, less aware that countries in Africa (SUDAN, SOUTH SUDAN, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC and ERITREA) and Asia (MYANMAR) are also significant contributors to the global refugee crisis. Some overestimate the number of refugees fleeing from LIBYA and MEXICO.

Americans underestimate the number of Syrian refugees by a staggering 4.7 million.

British andFrench public

estimatesboth fall short by

4.5 million.

Off by millions

The Humanitarian Index served as a key discussion topic duringthe Aurora Dialogues.

A “Compassion Gap”exists between emotionand action

I’d help Syrian refugeesif I could

Donated money inpast year

Donated time inpast year

Donated goodsin past year

WOULD ACTUALLY HELPIF THEY COULD

US UK FRANCE

GERMANY LEBANON IRAN

21 IN

50%

22% 24%29%

44%32%

19%

32%43%

25% 27% 33%

48%37%

31%

44%

67%

41%36%

49%59%

40%

55%

21%ESTIMATES OF REFUGEES

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Presenting the Inaugural Aurora Prize Ceremony and Finalists

On the evening of April 24, hundreds of esteemed guests gathered to attend the Aurora Prize ceremony, which was emceed by the Washington Post’s David Ignatius and opera diva Hasmik Papian.

The ceremony, which included the music of Serj Tankian and Charles Aznavour, acknowledged the work of each of the four Aurora Prize finalists. New York Times correspondent Rukmini Callimachi was also recognized for her exceptional contribution in exposing crimes against humanity, having received the newly established Integrity in Journalism Award from the International Center for Journalists (in partnership with the Aurora Prize).

At its conclusion, Ms. Marguerite Barankitse was announced as the inaugural Aurora Prize Laureate.

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Hasmik Papian and David IgnatiusAurora Prize Ceremony

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A Calling to Love

L A U R E AT E M A R G U E R I T E B A R A N K I T S E

The inaugural Aurora Prize was awarded to Marguerite Barankitse from Maison Shalom and REMA Hospital in Burundi for the extraordinary impact she has had in saving thousands of lives and caring for orphans and refugees during the country’s years of civil war.

Barankitse has dedicated her life to providing safe haven and education to children escaping violence and abuse. When war first broke out in Burundi, Barankitse, a Tutsi, tried to hide 72 of her closest Hutu neighbors to keep them safe from persecution. They were discovered and executed, while she was forced to watch.

Following this horrifying experience, which truly tested her faith in humanity, Barankitse began her work saving and caring for children and refugees. Over the next 20 years Barankitserescued and educated roughly 30,000 children, and in 2008 she opened a hospital which has treated more than 80,000 patients to date.

As Laureate, Barankitse was awarded the $100,000 grant and donated the accompanying $1,000,000 award to the organizations (see p.11) to advance aid and rehabilitation for child refugees and orphans, and fight against child poverty.

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_31 Marguerite Barankitse

2016 Aurora Prize Laureate

Our values are human values. When you have compassion, dignity and love then nothing can scare you, nothing can stop you - no one can stop love. Not armies, not hate, not persecution, not famine, nothing.

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In addition to selecting the Aurora Prize Laureate, the Selection Committee

also chose three inspirational finalists. They were recognized for their courage

to fight against the injustice and violence inflicted upon those most vulnerable

in their societies. Each finalist received $25,000 as part of their recognition.

2016 AURORA PRIZEof theFINALISTS

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D R . TO M C AT E N A is the only doctor permanently based near Sudan’s border with South Sudan and is therefore responsible for serving over 500,000 people in the region. Despite several bombings by the Sudanese government,Dr. Catena resides on the hospital grounds so that he may be on call at all times. He was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2015.

SYEDA GHULAM FATIMA has worked tirelessly to eradicate bonded labor in Pakistan, one of the last remaining forms of modern slavery. Fatima has liberated thousands of Pakistani workers, including approximately 21,000 children, who were forced to work for brick kiln owners in order to repay debts. Fatima has survived attempts on her life and repeated beatings during the course of her activism.

FATHER BERNARD KINVI became a priest at age 19, after losing his father and four sisters to prolonged violence and illness. Father Kinvi left his home country of Togo to head a Catholic mission with the Central African Republic. In 2012 civil war broke out. Amid the violence, Father Kinvi’s mission provided refuge and health services to those on both sides of the conflict, saving hundreds of people from persecution and death.

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From left to right: Ruben Vardanyan, Hina Jilani, Shirin Ebadi, Gareth Evans, Michela Catena, Syeda Ghulam Fatima,Marguerite Barankitse, Bernard Kinvi, Leymah Gbowee, Vartan Gregorian, George Clooney, Noubar Afeyan.Aurora Prize Ceremony

Eric Esrailian From left to right: Edward Djerejian, Francoise Andree Liliane Marie Djerejian, Francesca Natalia Djerejian, Gregory Djerejian.

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_35 Marguerite Barankitse and Emery Emerimana

Aurora Prize Ceremony

Marine AlesCharles Aznavour

Shavarsh Karapetyan

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The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is committed to building a broader

humanitarian movement. It spans a number of projects including

the Aurora Dialogues, the Aurora Humanitarian Index, the Aurora

Gratitude Projects and the 100 LIVES.

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is rooted in the inspiring stories of

courage and survival that emerged during the Armenian Genocide more

than one hundred years ago.

H U M A N I TA R I A N I N I T I AT I V EA U R O R AFostering a Broader Movement for Good

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AURORA MARDIGANIAN____________

The inspirational woman behind the Initiative

As a child, she was forced to witness the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide. Against all odds, she survived and went on to relive the trauma again and again as she told her story to the world, on stage and in film, raising awareness about the 1915 atrocities.

Aurora’s story, together with the thousands of other old and new stories of untold courage and survival, inspired the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and the Aurora Prize.

100 LIVES

100 LIVES tells the stories of survivors of the Armenian Genocide and pays tribute to those who helped them. Their compassion, generosity and sacrifice show the best of humankind. _

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100 LIVES tells the stories of survivors of the Armenian Genocide and pays tribute to those who helped them. Their compassion, generosity and sacrifice show the best of humankind.

Images courtesy of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute.

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JOHANNES LEPSIUS____________

The German “guardian angel” ofArmenians is an inspiring exampleof the saviors in gratitude to whomthe Aurora Initiative was launched.

He was a German Protestant missionary and humanist

with a special interest in trying to prevent the Armenian

Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. During World War I

he published his work «Report on the situation of the

Armenian People in Turkey», in which he meticulously

documented and condemned the Armenian Genocide.

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In the spirit of giving back, the Aurora Gratitude Projects engage with various humanitarian and educational initiatives to help children, refugees, citizens around the world. Armenians reaped the benefits of man’s kindness and goodness a century ago. Today, their descendants demonstrate a readiness to return the kindness through a variety of global projects. By expressing gratitude and sharing goals and projects, the Aurora Initiative contributes to decreasing the distance between peoples and communities, and building solidarity among those committed to doing good.

A U R O R AH U M A N I TA R I A N I N I T I AT I V E

of theGRATITUDE PROJECTS

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THE AURORA HUMANITARIAN INITIATIVE committed $100,000 to support UN OCHA’s flash appeal for humanitarian aid in response to the Nepal earthquake in May 2015.

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AU RO R A G R AT I T U D E P RO J E C T S involve a number of educational initiatives, including support for the UWC Dilijan College, as well as the establishment of the Near East Foundation and Amal Clooney Scholarships, together valued over $7 million.

Students of UWC Dilijan College_41

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From left to right: Gyulnara Shamoyan, Joyce Barnathan, Rukmini Callimachi._42

T H E A U R O R A H U M A N I TA R I A N I N I T I AT I V E , in partnership with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), created T H E I N T E G R I T Y I N J O U R N A L I S M AWA R D to recognize those who shine a light on humanitarian crises from the front lines. The New York Times’ Rukmini Callimachi is the inaugural recipient.

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A U R O R ADonors to the

H U M A N I TA R I A N I N I T I AT I V E

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Distinguished DonorsA

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NOUBAR AFEYAN

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Senior Managing Partner andCEO of Flagship Pioneering;Inventor, Entrepreneur and

Venture Capitalist

ALBERT AVDOLYAN

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Co-Founder ofTelconet Capital;

Philanthropist

VLADIMIR AVETISSIAN

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Deputy Chairman of theExecutive Board at Rusnano

Management Company;Philanthropist

ARTUR DZHANIBEKYAN

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Head of Gazprom MediaHolding; Founder of

Comedy Club Production;Philanthropist

VARTAN GREGORIAN

_______________

President of the CarnegieCorporation of New York;

Aurora Prize SelectionCommittee Member

SAMVEL KARAPETYAN

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Founder and Presidentof Tashir Group;Philanthropist

RUBEN VARDANYAN

_______________

Entrepreneur; Co-Founder of the IDeA

Foundation; Philanthropist

SERGEY SARKISOV

_______________

Founder, Shareholderand President of RESO-Garantia;

Philanthropist

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Gratitude Scholarship Donors

ADIBEKYAN FAMILY FOUNDATIONFOR ADVANCEMENT_________

LEVON & ANA AFEYAN_________

RUBEN AGANBEGYAN& VERONIKA MISYUTINA_________

SERGEY AMBARTSUMYAN_________

GARO ARMEN & ALICE SARAYDARIAN_________

TALINE DEMIRDJIAN BACHIAN_________

MIKHAIL BROITMAN_________

FRUITFULL ARMENIA FOUNDATION_________

PIERRE & ANNE-SOPHIE GURDJIAN_________

MIKHAIL HARUTYUNYAN_________

RUBEN HARUTYUNYAN & ANAHIT ANTONYAN_________

MICHAEL KAVOUKJIAN_________

VAHAN & SUSIE KOLOLIAN_________

CAROLYN MUGAR_________

GOR NAHAPETYAN_________

ELENA ORLOVA_________

RICHARD SHEMESIAN_________

NORAIR TEVANIAN_________

NICOLAUS & CHRISTIANE WEICKART_________

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Donors Friends

KAIRAT BORANBAYEV_________

ERIK BUGULOV_________

ERNST & YOUNG LLC_________

SERGEY KOGOGIN_________

MIKHAIL KUSNIROVICH_________

HAKOB SARKISSIAN_________

MARINE ALES_________

EMMA ARAKELYAN_________

CHARLES AZNAVOUR_________

DIANA BADEIAN_________

JACQUES & PATRICIADER MEGREDITCHIAN_________

GEVORG HAKOBYAN_________

DAVID IGNATIUS_________

ARMAN JILAVIAN_________

RUDOLF KHARATIAN_________

LEVON MALKHASYAN_________

GEOFFREY NICHOLSON_________

HASMIK PAPIAN_________

ALEXANDER REVZIN_________

EMPLOYEES OF SBERBANKPRIVATE BANKING_________

SERGEY SMBATYAN_________

OLGA SURIKOVA_________

ARA TADEVOSYAN_________

SERJ TANKIAN_________

ROBERT TATEOSSIAN_________

GAGIK ZAKARYAN _________

*We also acknowledge the support of the donors who chose to remain anonymous.

**As of December, 2016.

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Partners

The Aurora Prize benefits from the administrative, legal and communications support of the following partners:

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The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative: www.auroraprize.com

Media information and assets: www.auroraprizemedia.com

For all media enquiries: [email protected]

+44 203 047 2315 or +374 60 700 800 ext. (119).

Our address: 2/2 Melik-Adamyan St., 0010 Yerevan, Armenia

The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is represented by three organizations - the 100 Lives Foundation, Inc. (New York, USA), the 100 Lives Foundation (Geneva, Switzerland) and the IDeA Foundation (Yerevan, Armenia).

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