On 14-21 October Armenia will host the inaugurate Aurora Forum, which will include events in Yerevan, Gyumri, Dilijan, Tatev and Shushi.

1. What is the forum about? 

It is the first gathering of this kind in South Caucasus. The Aurora forum will bring to Armenia leading experts in social studies, education, humanitarian and research innovation, who will share their experience and opinions and suggest ideas that can make the world a better place.

The Aurora Forum has 157 goodwill ambassadors from 39 countries, who represent 17 different fields.

2. What does it aim to achieve? 

The forum aims to make Armenia an international platform equal to Davos, New York, London and other parts of the development world, a host of discussions on urgent global matters, relevant challenges and solutions.

3. Who organizes the forum? 

The forum is co-organized by the Initiatives for Development of Armenia (IDeA) Foundation, Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST), Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, Scholae Mundi, UWC Dilijan and Ameriabank.

4. Who will attend? 

The forum will be attended by guests and speakers from different countries, philanthropists, three Aurora Prize laureates, Aurora 2019 heroes, members of the Aurora Prize selection committee and co-founders of Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity.

Members of the Armenian government, MPs, foreign ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, artists and public figures are also invited to the forum.

5. What is the agenda? 

The agenda for 14-21 October will include three-day global innovation forum “Transforming intelligence”, #AraratChallenge Fest, ChainPoint19 International Blockchain Conference, the Impact Humanity Television and Film Festival, Conference on Issues of Integration of AI and UAVs, and the “Summer School 2019: Leadership and Governance for Sustainable Tourism” event.

On October 17, Gyumri will host the public events celebrating Friendship and Gratitude Day: “Thank you world” flashmob, event dedicated to improvement of Friendship Park, open-air concert by Vladimir Avetissyan & D’Black Blues Orchestra, which will be opened by Bambir and TmbaTa.

On October 18, the forum participants will attend open lectures, roundtable discussions, cultural and educational events dedicated to the 5th anniversary of UWC Dilijan. The city will also host festivities marking its 475th anniversary.

On October 19, Yerevan will host the Aurora Prize Ceremony. The selection committee chose three Aurora heroes of 2019 out of 719 nominees from 72 countries.

October 20 will see the Aurora Tribute and Fundraising Concert featuring a unique concert program by the Mariinsky Theater Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Valery Gergiev.

On October 21, the organizers will hold the Komitas 150th Anniversary Tribute and “Komitas: The Pathways of a Genius” exhibition in Tatev.