Galvanizing the World – Aurora Dialogues discussions kick off in Dilijan’s UWC
The second discussion phase of Aurora Dialogues entitled Galvanizing the World kicked off in United World College (UWC) Dilijan. Renowned representatives of humanitarian eld, scientists, philanthropists and representatives of the business, media and civil society have arrived in Armenia to participate in the Aurora Dialogues. On six brief discussions, speakers will present their visions of positive changes and ghting negative occurrences.
A series of presentations and interactive discussions with leading gures in education, human rights and media, who are working to better the lives of refugees and other vulnerable populations. Speakers include Haifa Dia Al Atia, director of the Queen Rania Foundation for Education and Development, Bild daily newspaper’s Associate Editor Florian Von Heinz, actress and co-founder of Give Life foundation Chulpan Khamatova, 2016 Aurora Prize laureate, founder of Maison Shalom children’s shelter and Rema hospital Marguerite Barankitse, Liberian peace activist, women’s rights activist and Nobel Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee and others.
Denise Davidson, Head of UWC Dilijan, delivered opening remarks. “The principles, desires and goals of our college are so interrelated with everything that we are doing here now: Aurora for humanity, for learning to live together. We are happy to host you here, in order to help to understand together what’s happening today in the world,” he said.
In keeping with the spirit of the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, the Aurora Dialogues will shine a light on the people who are working to address today’s atrocities in a real and substantial manner and seek to identify ideas that will deliver tangible change.
The program will cover issues ranging from the root causes of the refugee crisis to its disastrous consequences, and analyze how varying responses such as humanitarian relief, education and social integration are impacting those most at risk. During a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions and Q&A sessions, notable speakers will exchange knowledge and perspectives on the best ways to face these challenges through actionable change.
The Aurora Dialogues provide a platform for the world’s leading humanitarians, academics, philanthropists and members of civil society to come together for a series of insightful discussions about some of today’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Now in its second year, the Dialogues encourage collaborative conversations to explore the importance of learning from the past, acting in the present, and fostering a better future. Some discussion topics include global migration and its farreaching impacts, the responsibility of business to help overcome challenges posed by the refugee crisis, and the media’s role in bringing humanitarian crises to the world’s attention.
Speakers will include members of the esteemed Aurora Prize Selection Committee, as well as influential leaders and thinkers from around the world who are committed to advancing humanitarian causes. The United World College (UWC) Dilijan will host the first day of the 2017 Aurora Dialogues. Established in 2014, UWC Dilijan is a unique institution located in Dilijan, a short distance from Armenia’s capital city, Yerevan.
The school promotes intercultural understanding, academic excellence, integrity and a sense of duty towards the community, and the world at large, amongst its students. May 27 is also Graduation Day at UWC Dilijan. The second day of the 2017 Aurora Dialogues will be hosted at the Matenadaran.
