Marguerite Barankitse Awarded Inaugural Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity

Syeda Ghulam Fatima - Low Resolution

Film shown at the Aurora Prize Ceremony of Aurora Prize Finalist Syeda Ghulam Fatima [Video by: 100 LIVES]

George Clooney, Co-Chair of the Selection Committee, presents the $1 million Aurora Prize to Marguerite Barankitse at ceremony in Yerevan, Armenia

Marguerite Barankitse from Maison Shalom and REMA Hospital in Burundi was named as the inaugural Laureate of the $1 million Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity. At a ceremony held in Yerevan, Armenia, Barankitse was recognized for the extraordinary impact she has had in saving thousands of lives and caring for orphans and refugees during the years of civil war in Burundi. 

As the first Aurora Prize Laureate, Barankitse will receive a $100,000 grant and continue the cycle of giving by donating the accompanying $1,000,000 award to organizations that have inspired her work. Barankitse plans to donate the award to three organizations in order to advance aid and rehabilitation for child refugees and orphans, and fight against child poverty. These organizations are: the Fondation du Grand-Duc et de La Grande-Duchesse du Luxembourg, Fondation Jean-François Peterbroeck (JFP Foundation), and the Fondation Bridderlech Deelen Luxembourg. 

read more
Marguerite Barankitse accepts the inaugural Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity from George Clooney Marguerite Barankitse accepts the inaugural Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity from George Clooney Marguerite Barankitse accepts the inaugural Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity from George Clooney Inaugural Aurora Prize Laureate nominates three organizations for a share of $1 million award George Clooney honors the inaugural Aurora Prize Laureate and finalists Ruben Vardanyan, Marguerite Barankitse and the Aurora Prize statuette Leymah Gbowee honors the inaugural Aurora Prize Laureate and finalists Leymah Gbowee and Aurora Prize Finalist Syeda Ghulam Fatima Leymah Gbowee congratulates Syeda Ghulam Fatima Leymah Gbowee, Syeda Ghulam Fatima and Vartan Gregorian Syeda Ghulam Fatima, Leymah Gbowee and Vartan Gregorian Rukmini Callimachi accepts the Award for Integrity in Journalism from ICFJ’s Joyce Barnathan Rukmini Callimachi accepts the Award for Integrity in Journalism in partnership with the Aurora Priz Rukmini Callimachi accepts the Award for Integrity in Journalism in partnership with the Aurora Priz Rukmini Callimachi accepts the Award for Integrity in Journalism in partnership with the Aurora Priz Hasmik Papian and David Ignatius host the Aurora Prize ceremony Performance by Hasmik Papian, host of the Aurora Prize ceremony Performance by Hasmik Papian, host of the Aurora Prize ceremony Performance by Hasmik Papian, host of the Aurora Prize ceremony Hasmik Papian and David Ignatius host the Aurora Prize ceremony Aurora Prize Ceremony hosts Hasmik Papian and David Ignatius Shirin Ebadi and Aurora Prize Finalist Dr. Tom Catena's niece Shirin Ebadi and Aurora Prize Finalist Dr. Tom Catena's niece and Gareth Evans Selection Committee Member Hina Jilani Selection Committee Member Hina Jilani and Co-Founder Noubar Afeyan Father Bernard Kinvi and Aurora Prize Co-Founder Noubar Afeyan Aurora Prize finalist Father Bernard Kinvi and Hina Jilani Aurora Prize finalist Father Bernard Kinvi, Noubar Afeyan, Hina Jilani Aurora Prize finalist Father Bernard Kinvi Aurora Prize Finalist Father Bernard Kinvi Aurora Prize finalist Father Bernard Kinvi and Hina Jilani Father Bernard Kinvi and Aurora Prize Co-Founder Noubar Afeyan Ruben Vardanyan George Clooney and Ruben Vardanyan Ruben Vardanyan George Clooney honors the inaugural Aurora Prize Laureate and finalists George Clooney congratulates Marguerite Barankitse George Clooney congratulates the inaugural Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse Ruben Vardanyan and George Clooney congratulate Marguerite Barankitse Ruben Vardanyan and George Clooney congratulate Marguerite Barankitse Ruben Vardanyan and George Clooney congratulate Marguerite Barankitse Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse Shirin Ebadi and Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse Charles Aznavour performs at the inaugural Aurora Prize ceremony in Yerevan, Armenia Charles Aznavour performs at the inaugural Aurora Prize ceremony in Yerevan, Armenia Charles Aznavour performs at the inaugural Aurora Prize ceremony in Yerevan, Armenia Vartan Gregorian honors the inaugural Aurora Prize Laureate George Clooney, Vartan Gregorian and Charles Aznavour Vartan Gregorian, George Clooney and Charles Aznavour Marguerite Barankitse with finalists Syeda Ghulam Fatima and Father Bernard Kinvi Dr. Eric Esraillian introduces a preview of 'The Promise' Gevorg Hakobyan performs with the Hover Choir Ruben Vardanyan and Hina Jilani Marguerite Barankitse and Syeda Ghulam Fatima depart stage His Holiness Karekin II, Vartan Gregorian and George Clooney George Clooney, Vartan Gregorian and Ruben Vardanyan Vartan Gregorian, Marguerite Barankitse and David Ignatius Vartan Gregorian and Marguerite Barankitse Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse celebrates with guests Marguerite Barankitse celebrating her title as Aurora Prize Laureate Vartan Gregorian at the pledge wall Noubar Afeyan at the pledge wall Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse celebrates with guests Dancers perform at the Aurora Prize ceremony Dancers perform at the Aurora Prize ceremony Dancers perform at the Aurora Prize ceremony Dancers perform at the Aurora Prize ceremony Dancers perform at the Aurora Prize ceremony Dancers perform at the Aurora Prize ceremony Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse Aurora Prize ceremony venue Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse Aurora Prize Laureate Marguerite Barankitse
Marguerite Barankitse - Low Resolution Father Bernard Kinvi - Low Resolution Video Syeda Ghulam Fatima - Low Resolution Dr. Tom Catena - Low Resolution Aurora Prize Co-Founder Ruben Vardanyan introduces the Aurora Prize Laureate Aurora Prize Co-Founder Noubar Afeyan introduces finalist Father Bernard Kinvi Clooney announces the first-ever Aurora Prize Laureate Clooney announces the first-ever Aurora Prize Laureate
George Clooney's Speech at Aurora Prize Ceremony ENGLISH ENGLISH Press Release ENGLISH Press Release FRENCH Press Release FRENCH Press Release RUSSIAN Press Release RUSSIAN Press Release ARMENIAN Press Release ARMENIAN Press Release SPANISH Press Release SPANISH Press Release GERMAN Press Release GERMAN Press Release ARABIC Press Release ARABIC Press Release

As the first Aurora Prize Laureate, Barankitse will receive a $100,000 grant and continue the cycle of giving by donating the accompanying $1,000,000 award to organizations that have inspired her work. Barankitse plans to donate the award to three organizations in order to advance aid and rehabilitation for child refugees and orphans, and fight against child poverty. These organizations are: the Fondation du Grand-Duc et de La Grande-Duchesse du Luxembourg, Fondation Jean-François Peterbroeck (JFP Foundation), and the Fondation Bridderlech Deelen Luxembourg. 

“Marguerite Barankitse serves as a reminder of the impact that one person can have even when encountering seemingly insurmountable persecution and injustice,” said Mr. Clooney. “By recognizing Marguerite Barankitse’s courage, commitment and sacrifice, I am hopeful that she can also inspire each one of us to think about what we can do to stand up on behalf of those whose rights are abused and are in most need of our solidarity or support.” 

Marguerite Barankitse saved thousands of lives and cared for orphans and refugees during the years of civil war in Burundi. When war broke out, Barankitse, a Tutsi, tried to hide 72 of her closest Hutu neighbors to keep them safe from persecution. They were discovered and executed, whilst Barankitse was forced to watch. Following this gruesome incident, she started her work saving and caring for children and refugees. She has saved roughly 30,000 children and in 2008, she opened a hospital which has treated more than 80,000 patients to date.

Guests also celebrated the exceptional contributions of the other three finalists for the Aurora Prize: Dr. Tom Catena, from Mother of Mercy Hospital in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan; Syeda Ghulam Fatima, the General Secretary of the Bonded Labour Liberation Front in Pakistan; and Father Bernard Kinvi, a Catholic Priest in Bossemptele, Central African Republic (CAR). To mark the occasion of the inaugural Aurora Prize Ceremony, these exceptional humanitarians will be presented with a $25,000 award from the Aurora Prize co-founders to support the organizations that have inspired their work. 

Leading humanitarian figures and Aurora Prize Selection Committee members, including Gareth Evans, Hina Jilani, Leymah Gbowee, Shirin Ebadi and Vartan Gregorian, attended and participated in the Aurora Prize Award Ceremony.

“During the selection process for the Aurora Prize, we came across truly remarkable stories of the human spirit, and an extraordinary number of inspiring individuals who are out there making a signficiant difference,” said Vartan Gregorian, member of the Aurora Prize Selection Committee and co-founder of 100 LIVES. “We are proud to be able to recognize Marguerite Barankitse and support the impactful work she is doing in a concrete way. She proves the tremendous impact one person can have on so many.”