London, UK, 16 December 2015 – 100 LIVES is pleased to announce the launch of a new annual scholarship established in partnership with esteemed international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney. The new ‘Amal Clooney Scholarship’ is part of an ongoing effort by 100 LIVES – the organization behind the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity – to strengthen cross-cultural education and understanding through collaborative social and philanthropic projects.
“As a leading human rights barrister and campaigner, Amal Clooney is an inspirational role model for young women around the world. She exemplifies integrity, compassion and dedication – and typifies what it means to be a global citizen across all cultures.” said Ruben Vardanyan, co-founder of 100 LIVES and UWC Dilijan College, an international co-educational boarding school hosting students from 64 countries. “100 LIVES recognizes the need for future generations to have greater cross-cultural understanding. The college strives to make education a force for peace by bringing together aspiring young leaders from all over the world.”
Through this new scholarship, 100 LIVES will send one female student from Lebanon to Dilijan each year to enroll in a 2-year international baccalaureate program. Recipients of the Amal Clooney Scholarship will be chosen annually based on their exemplary academic performance and demonstrable interest in the promotion of human rights and international issues. The first Amal Clooney Scholarship will be awarded to Pamela Tebchrany – a dedicated Lebanese student who graduated top of her class and is fluent in Arabic, French and English. She will be using the scholarship to pursue her interests in human rights and women’s equality.
“This scholarship will give young women from Lebanon the opportunity of a lifetime,” Amal Clooney said. “Cross-cultural learning and studying abroad can be transformative. I am grateful to 100 LIVES for helping to open doors for these bright and talented young women.”
Beyond this scholarship, both Mrs. Clooney and her husband, George, have philanthropic ties to 100 LIVES. Mr. Clooney is co-chair of the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity – a new $1 million global humanitarian prize recognizing those who put themselves at risk to enable others to survive. He will present at the inaugural Prize at a ceremony in Yerevan, Armenia on April 24, 2016. Mr. Clooney’s Not On Our Watch foundation is also a partner of 100 LIVES – the two organizations share a commitment to focus public attention on the impact of genocide and work to prevent mass atrocities around the world.
The annual selection process is managed by a dedicated UWC National Committee in Lebanon and based on the UWC entry requirements and Amal Clooney Scholarship criteria.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About 100 LIVES
100 LIVES is a new global initiative rooted in the events of the Armenian Genocide, during which 1.5 million Armenians perished. The fortunate few were saved by the courageous and heroic acts of individuals and institutions. A century later, 100 LIVES seeks to express gratitude, to share remarkable stories of survivors and their saviors, and to celebrate the strength of the human spirit.
Further information is available at www.100LIVES.com.
About the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity
Recipients will be recognized for the exceptional impact their actions have made on preserving human life and advancing humanitarian causes. On behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviors, an Aurora Prize Laureate will be honored each year with a US$100,000 grant as well as the unique opportunity to continue the cycle of giving by nominating organizations that inspired their work for a US$1,000,000 award.
The Aurora Prize Selection Committee includes Nobel Laureates Elie Wiesel, Oscar Arias, Shirin Ebadi and Leymah Gbowee; former President of Ireland Mary Robinson; human rights activist Hina Jilani; former Australian Foreign Minister and President and CEO of the International Crisis Group Gareth Evans; President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York Vartan Gregorian; and Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian George Clooney.
The Aurora Prize will be awarded annually on April 24 of each year in Yerevan, Armenia.
Further information is available at www.100LIVES.com/Prize.
About United World College (UWC) Dilijan
UWC Dilijan College opened in October 2014 in Dilijan, Armenia. It is the first international boarding school of the UWC education model to open in Eastern Europe and CIS countries and it accepts students from all over the world.
Today UWC Dilijan has 190 students from 64 countries studying a two-year IB programme. The college offers full scholarships to 48% of its students, and a further 50% of the student body receive partial scholarships (covering 67% of tuition fees on average).
UWC Dilijan was established by entrepreneurs and philanthropists Ruben Vardanyan and Veronika Zonabend with the support of other Founding Donors. The construction of the campus was funded by large-scale philanthropic donations, and the admissions policy aims to make places available to promising young talent regardless of their socio-economic background, on the basis of demonstrated need.
More information about UWC Dilijan is available at www.uwcdilijan.org.
Media contact information: 100livesmedia@edelman.com / +44 203 047 2300
