22 May 2017 –YEREVAN, ARMENIA – The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, a non-profit charitable organization established on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors, today announced a collaboration with the World Leadership Alliance Club de Madrid, the world’s largest independent forum of former heads of state and government. The collaboration, which began May 1, 2017, aims to inspire action to support those in need of humanitarian aid.
As part of the agreement, Club de Madrid members Benjamin Mkapa, former President of Tanzania, and Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana, will participate in the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity Ceremony in Yerevan, Armenia. These two African leaders have had first-hand experience in dealing with ongoing conflict in Africa and especially in Sudan. In Yerevan, they will be engaging with humanitarian practitioners, scholars, media professionals and policymakers to discuss effective approaches and reforms for peacekeeping and peacebuilding and the role of economic development in the process.
The Aurora Prize is a global award established by the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and granted to individuals in recognition of the exceptional impact their actions have made on preserving human life and advancing humanitarian causes. Presidents Mkapa and Mogae will be on-hand to celebrate the 2017 Aurora Prize Laureate, who will receive a US$100,000 grant to continue their work, and the opportunity to continue the cycle of giving by nominating organizations that inspire their work for a US$1,000,000 award. The 2017 Aurora Prize Laureate will be selected from these five finalists: Fartuun Adan and Ilwad Elman, Jamila Afghani, Dr. Tom Catena, Muhammad Darwish and Dr. Denis Mukwege.
“We are always eager to partner with organizations that share our mission, and Club de Madrid’s support will be instrumental in empowering individuals to save lives, offering hope to those in need, and inspiring global humanitarian action,” said Ruben Vardanyan, Co-Founder of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. “We are honored to work alongside this esteemed international organization to promote our common goal in raising attention for humanitarian issues and delivering effective responses to crisis and injustice around the globe.”
The Club de Madrid, whose membership of more than 100 democratic, former presidents and prime ministers from over 70 different countries, works to respond to a growing demand for support among today’s leaders in two key areas: democratic leadership and governance and response to crisis and post-crisis situations.
“The common denominator of our diverse membership body and the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is our keen awareness of the pressures and challenges facing the world and our deep commitment to fostering positive change through leadership and citizen engagement,” said Maria Elena Agüero, Secretary General of Club de Madrid. “We are proud to bring our experience, expertise and convening power to further deepen the tremendous impact that Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is making in all corners of the globe.”
About the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative
Founded on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative seeks to empower modern-day saviors to offer life and hope to those in urgent need of basic humanitarian aid and thus continue the cycle of giving internationally. The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is Gratitude in Action. It is an eight-year commitment (2015 to 2023, in remembrance of the eight years of the Armenian Genocide 1915-1923) to support people and promote projects that tackle the needs of the most helpless and destitute, and do so at great risk. This is achieved through the Initiative’s various programs: The Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, the Aurora Dialogues, the Aurora Humanitarian Index, the Gratitude Projects and the 100 LIVES Initiative. The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is the vision of philanthropists Vartan Gregorian, Noubar Afeyan and Ruben Vardanyan who have, already in the second year, been joined by several dozen new donors and partners. The Initiative welcomes all who embrace a commitment to our shared humanity.
The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is represented by three organizations – Aurora Humanitarian Initiative Foundation, Inc. (New York, USA), the 100 Lives Foundation (Geneva, Switzerland) and the IDeA Foundation (Yerevan, Armenia).
About the Club de Madrid
The Club de Madrid is an independent non-profit organization composed of more than 100 former presidents and prime ministers from 70 democratic countries. The Club de Madrid responds to a growing demand for support to address a number of challenges in democratic governance by providing the experience and valuable leadership of its members.
The Club de Madrid works to strengthen democratic institutions and to offer advice on the resolution of political conflicts in order to enhance development and improve the lives of those most in need. Moreover, the Club de Madrid Club assists in the identification of politically sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by today’s leaders, developing practical recommendations, action plans and implementation strategies.
