ArmInfo.The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative has named five Aurora 2021 heroes who have been recognized by the Selection Committee for their courage, determination and impact.
According to the press service of the initiative, the names of 5 heroes were announced during a special event at the national repository of ancient manuscripts Matenadaran.
In accordance with tradition, the names of the heroes of "Aurora-2021" were inscribed in the Chronicle of "Aurora", a unique manuscript of the XXI century, containing a description of the activities of the Humanitarian Initiative "Aurora".
One of the heroes will become the winner of the Aurora Prize-2021 and will have the opportunity to continue the relay of good, sharing the award of $ 1 million with organizations that help those in need. The heroes of" Aurora " - 2021 were:
Gregoire Ahongbonon (Ivory Coast), founder of the Saint Camille Association, which helps people suffering from mental illness in West Africa and seeks to end the inhumane local practice of keeping them in chains. Ahongbonon has nominated three organizations that promote international solidarity and support people with intellectual disabilities and mental illnesses: CREDIL (Lanodier Regional Committee for Education for International Development), L'Arche Canada Foundation, and the Saint Camille Association.
Ruby Alba Castagno (Colombia), human rights activist and founder ASOCATDAME (The Association of Farmers, Agricultural Workers, and Environmentalists of Meta), which works to protect the rights of thousands of Colombian farmers who are being persecuted, forcibly disappeared, and displaced. Castagno has nominated three organizations that advocate for the rights of peasant and poor communities in Colombia: ASOCATDAME, the Norman Perez Bello Claretin Corporation (CCNPB), and the National Federation of Agricultural Trade Unions (FENSUAGRO).
Paul Farmer (USA), medical anthropologist, professor at Harvard Medical School, co-founder and chief strategist of the international NGO "Partners in Health" (Partners In Health), which helps to take advantage of the achievements of modern medical science to those who need it most. Dr. Farmer nominated two organizations that provide health services to the world's poorest people and create a global movement of educators and practitioners in the field of social medicine: < Partners for Health> and Equal Health. Julien Lusenge (Democratic Republic of the Congo), human rights activist, co-founder of Women's Solidarity for Integrated Peace and Development (SOFEPADI) and the Congolese Women's Foundation (KWF), who has been helping victims of sexual violence during the war for many years. Lusenge nominated three organizations that support grassroots women's organizations, empower victims of gender- based violence, and promote the reintegration of internally displaced persons: the Foundation for Congolese Women, the League of Congolese Solidarity, and the Association of Mothers for Development and Peace. Ashwak Moharram (Yemen), a doctor who provides vital support to the starving population of the city of Hodeidah, facing a humanitarian crisis as a result of the conflict and the blockade. Dr. Moharram nominated two organizations that protect the future of children and provide free medical services to people affected by the ongoing conflict in Yemen: Save the Children and Doctors Without Borders. <The opportunity to pay tribute to these outstanding men and women from all over the world is a great honor for me. The heroes of Aurora 2021 are people who truly believe in basic human rights and have dedicated their lives to helping those who find themselves in difficult conditions. We also honor them for the huge contribution that even one person can make to the common cause, helping thousands and inspiring millions of people, " said Lord Ara Darzi, Chairman of the Aurora Prize Selection Committee. <The exceptional achievements of the heroes of Aurora 2021 demonstrate their unwavering willingness to act in response to the needs of the people around them. Aurora strongly believes in humanity's ability to improve and save lives, and has developed the concept of gratitude in action, which describes the human spirit that can motivate us to do humanitarian work. The heroes we honor today are a role model that the world needs more than ever, " said Marguerite Barankits, founder of Maison Shalom and REMA Hospital and winner of the first Aurora Prize.
At the last event, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative also officially announced the opening of the reception of nominations for the Aurora 2022 Award and called on everyone to nominate inspiring candidates. Earlier in the day, representatives of Aurora paid tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide by attending a flower-laying ceremony at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial in Yerevan, Armenia, dedicated to the victims of the first genocide of the 20th century.
During the event, the participants also paid tribute to the great scientist and philanthropist Vartan Gregorian, co-founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and a member of the Aurora Prize Selection Committee, who passed away a few days ago.