Nominations Now Open for 2025 Aurora Prize

The GRATITUDE IN ACTION newsletter is tailored to keep Aurora’s community connected and up to date on our progress. The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative empowers modern-day heroes improving the lives of those in need across the globe while creating a universal model for others to follow. As nominations open for the 2025 Aurora Prize, don’t miss an opportunity to put forward an inspiring humanitarian. Scroll down for more details and other important updates.

On June 16, join us for an online discussion focusing on the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the impact of sexual and gender-based violence. The event will bring together humanitarian and human rights experts to shed light on the drastic turn for the worse in the conflict-ridden eastern DRC. Register here to attend the event

2024 Aurora Prize Laureate Dr denismukwegue will be granted $300,000 to support his humanitarian work addressing sexual and gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Dr. Mukwege will seed the remaining $600,000 of the $1 million award to the Aurora Laureate’s Fund to distribute over three years among vetted grassroots humanitarians also known as Aurora Luminaries ($25,000 to eight recipients per year; 24 recipients in total), helping the most vulnerable people whose basic needs and rights are often overlooked

On May 9, 2024, The Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA School of Law at University of California, Los Angeles - School of Law and the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative jointly hosted a Human Rights and Humanitarian Forum to bring attention to some of the most alarming global trends and to promote promising solutions. At the beginning of the event, the attendees were greeted with welcome remarks by Dr. Noubar Afeyan , Co-Founder and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, Founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering , and Co-Founder and Chairman of Moderna .

Any person can submit a nomination for those who risk their own lives to save the lives of others suffering due to violent conflict or atrocity crimes.

“We are looking forward to discovering new and inspiring candidates and the compelling stories they bring.”

Lord Ara Darzi, Chair of the Aurora Prize Selection Committee and Co-Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London

An Aurora Dialogues Online event titled “Finding Refuge: Inspiring Everyday Humanitarian Action” was organized by the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative in partnership with RefugePoint on June 20, 2024, #WorldRefugeeDay.?Experts and advocates highlighted the growing refugee crisis and called for increased humanitarian action to support displaced communities worldwide

In the course of the panel held on May 9 during the Human Rights and Humanitarian Forum, several leading entrepreneurs whose decisions are capable of impacting around half a million employees offered their insights on doing good for the planet, investing in social standing, and committing to communities. Interested in what they had to say? Check out the summary of the discussion

During the Forum, the 2024 Aurora Humanitarians were honored for their outstanding contributions to human rights and humanitarian efforts. The tribute, which featured addresses from global activists, emphasized the immense impact these individuals have made in tackling issues like gender-based violence and political repression.