The program of the discussions will cover the root causes of the refugee crisis and the efficiency of varying responses to it such as humanitarian relief, education and social integration.
“If we accept flight and migration for what they are: a joint humanitarian obligation – there is no doubt that we can overcome the issues together. People are not born refugees, but are made refugees. They flee violence and persecution; they flee out of fear for their lives. Being a refugee means being vulnerable and having to put your trust in the help of others,” said Norbert Lammert, former president of Bundestag.
“It is significant that Aurora Dialogues, as an important international platform for thought provoking discussion on some of the most pressing humanitarian challenges, is expanding its geography,” said Ruben Vardanyan on behalf of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative co-founders. “We began in Yerevan, to put into action our gratitude to those who saved Armenians during that mass movement of people, after the genocide, in 1915. Today, we are in Berlin, in grateful partnership with those who are doing so very much to raise awareness about today’s immense problems and seeking solutions. We will take the learnings from the past conferences and continue to set ground for discussions in different locations around the world.”
The speakers of the Aurora Dialogues Berlin - humanitarians, academics, philanthropists and business leaders - will address the state of the global migration crisis and look at the role of different state and non-state actors, as well as development programs and solutions that can make a difference.
“The Robert Bosch Stiftung is pleased to welcome humanitarian, civil society and business leaders in Berlin. Our aim is to expand our focus and activities in the areas of migration, integration and inclusion in Germany and Europe. Therefore, we are looking forward to different perspectives aiming to identify solutions and facilitate action in society,” said Prof. Dr. Joachim Rogall, President and CEO of the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
“Our partnership and Aurora Dialogues Berlin will bring unique expertise and a solution-oriented approach to the current migration crisis through more sustainable and comprehensive development and integration policies. I believe this is an important step for bringing humanitarian crises to the world’s attention,” said Ingrid Hamm, founder and CEO of Global Perspectives Initiative.
“Open-mindedness, respect and tolerance are at the heart of our canon of values. Especially when facing complex challenges like migration and integration these values need to be upheld. Through our partner organization, the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration, Stiftung Mercator aims to contribute to an informed public debate and policies that are based on the best available evidence. Aurora Dialogues Berlin brings together perspectives from a variety of fields, which all are relevant to addressing the multi-faceted nature of these issues,” said Winfried Kneip, Executive Director of Stiftung Mercator.
In keeping with the spirit of the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, the Aurora Dialogues 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. Now in its third year, the Dialogues encourage collaborative conversations to explore the importance of learning from the past, acting in the present, and fostering a better future.
More information about Aurora Dialogues Berlin program, speakers and organizers can be found here.
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 Initiataive welcomes all who embrace a commitment to our shared humanity.
Further information is available at www.auroraprize.com
About Robert Bosch Stiftung
The Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH is one of Europe’s largest foundations associated with a private company. In its charitable work, it addresses social issues at an early stage and develops exemplary solutions. To this purpose, it develops and implements its own projects. Additionally, it supports third-party initiatives that have similar goals. The Robert Bosch Stiftung is active in the areas of health, science, society, education, and international relations. Moreover, in the coming years, the Foundation will increasingly direct its activities on three focus areas: Migration, Integration, and Inclusion, Social Cohesion in Germany and Europe, Sustainable Living Spaces. Since it was established in 1964, the Robert Bosch Stiftung has invested more than 1.4 billion euros in charitable work.
Further information is available at www.bosch-stiftung.de
About Global Perspectives Initiative
The Global Perspectives Initiative pursues the goal of fostering the discourse about a sustainable, balanced and fair global development and by this, actively supports Germany’s contribution to the fulfillment of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals of 2015. 11 out of 17 Goals are relevant to migration and refugees, which fosters the relevance for an international commitment for the SDGs and a better and more balanced development.
Further information is available at www.gp-initiative.org
About Stiftung Mercator
Stiftung Mercator is a private and independent foundation. Through its work it strives for a society characterized by openness to the world, solidarity and equal opportunities. In this context it concentrates on strengthening Europe; increasing the educational success of disadvantaged children and young people, especially those of migrant origin; driving forward climate change mitigation and promoting science and the humanities. One of Germany’s leading foundations, it is active both nationally and internationally. Stiftung Mercator feels a strong sense of loyalty to the Ruhr region, the home of the founding family and the foundation’s headquarters. In 2017/2018, European Migration Policy is Stiftung Mercator’s focal topic.
Further information is available at www.stiftung-mercator.de
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