YEREVAN—The Armenian Genocide is not just part of Armenian history, it’s not the pain of a particular country or people, it’s part of world history, Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian George Clooney said at the Second Global Forum Against the Crime of Genocide in Yerevan, reported Armradio.
Clooney spoke about genocide recognition, calling it a long struggle. “One cannot deny what has happened,” he said, adding, “When someone is trying to annihilate a whole human race, culture, people, that’s genocide, there can be no other version of it.”
“After the Holocaust we always heard the ‘never again’ expression; however, it was followed by Rwanda, Cambodia, Bosnia, and Darfur genocides.”
“What we are doing today has two objectives. First, we have to look back into the past and remember that it’s not the pain of a particular country or people; it’s part of world history. Second, we need to move forward,” Clooney added.
Clooney arrived in Armenia on April 22 to present the first Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity, which recognizes individuals and organizations for the exceptional impact their actions have made on preserving human life and advancing humanitarian causes.
Clooney is a member of the Aurora Prize Selection Committee, which also includes Nobel laureates Elie Wiesel, Oscar Arias, Shirin Ebadi and Leymah Gbowee; former Ireland President Mary Robinson; human rights activist Hina Jilani; former Australian Foreign Minister and International Crisis Group President Emeritus Gareth Evans; and Carnegie Corporation of New York President Vartan Gregorian.
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 $100,000 grant as well as the unique opportunity to continue the cycle of giving by nominating organizations that inspired their work for a $1 million award.
100 LIVES is a new global initiative rooted in the events of the Armenian Genocide, during which hundreds of thousands of Armenians 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.
100 LIVES is an initiative of the IDeA (Initiatives for Development of Armenia) Foundation, a charitable foundation committed to promoting socioeconomic development in Armenia through investments in long-term, non-profit projects.
Mr. Clooneyn was observed by Sargsyan President of Armenia and other speakers of the Second Global Forum against the crime of Genocide. I hope he is also going to do a stunning movie about the reality in artist interpretation.
Keep up the good work and following up with you until the end of time .
Very giving of Mr. Clooney to give his time and support the remembrance of the Armenian Genocide issue and the support of all Genocides around the world that never seem to end.
My Grandmother was a survivor.
Thank you.
the Bedrosian family
Thank you Mr. Clooney for voicing a truth that has been tried to be silenced by egotistical governments’ interests.
Thanks to George Clooney and the members for recognizing the courage and the humanity of those individuals affecting the lives positively in the face of evil.
sure would like to present mr. Clooney one of my Armenian limited edition prints as a token of our appreciation.
is there any such possibilities.
http://www.theartofgerardparaghamian.com
Both of my parents were left as orphans during the Armenian Genocide,
& lived in the AGBU Orphanage. My mother was a survivor from Bityas-
Musa_Dagh. Franz Werfel wrote the Novel of “Forty Days at Musa-Dagh. My father wrote his book as to how he survived titled” I Refused to Perish”. The book was translated into English from the Armenian version which he called “Mera, Chi Gora” which means “I Died
But did not Perish”. I did send the English version to Mr. George Clooney,
asking if he would like to make this into a movie, but the book came back & was not delivered to him. Of course, I was very disappointed!
Thank you Mr. Clooney! Vartzgt gadar.
Thank you Mr Clooney for your support of the Armenian cause. You have shown great courage and conviction in all such matters, bravo.