“I think all humanitarians are a little crazy, because if you’re not, you can’t take the risks to do what we do in the field,” — those were the powerful words of Julienne Lusenge, 2021 Aurora Prize Laureate and Founder of the Fund for Congolese Women, at the session “Modern-Day Heroes: Lessons in Resilience from Aurora Humanitarians,” which spotlighted powerful stories of courage and commitment from around the world at the 2025 Human Rights and Humanitarian Forum. The Forum, co-hosted by the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and The Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA Law, convened on May 7, 2025, on the UCLA campus under the theme “At the Crossroads: Driving Integrated Action for a Resilient Future.”
The session brought together a distinguished group of humanitarians whose personal stories exemplify resilience in the face of adversity. In his welcoming remarks, Michael Waterstone, Dean of UCLA School of Law, welcomed participants and emphasized UCLA’s role in uniting global human rights leaders. “This is what we at UCLA do. We bring together thought leaders and changemakers in human rights,” said Dean Waterstone. He then introduced Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, 5th District, who spoke about the county’s resilience and the essential role of community-driven humanitarian response. “This isn’t simply a celebration of courage. It is a call to action, a reminder that when the world looks away, someone must choose to step forward,” said Chair Barger.
As he opened the panel, moderator Dele Olojede, Aurora Prize Selection Committee Member, Founder of the Africa in the World Festival, and Pulitzer Prize Winner, noted that even in dark and challenging times, the people in room reflect a persistent hope for something better. “The very act of our gathering here sparks the courage needed to face these times. And who better to thank for giving us this courage—by their very presence, their work, and their lives—than the extraordinary panelists we have assembled for you. It is very difficult to find sparks of hope nowadays, but hopeful we must remain,” said Mr. Olojede.
Marguerite Barankitse, 2016 Aurora Prize Laureate and Founder of Maison Shalom, spoke about the devastating loss of international funding and the severe impact that has had on the people relying on that support. “There are babies, elderly people, and 29,000 children who need to go to school and have access to water, yet decisions are made without explanation. That’s why I’m here to tell you—it’s not just African people or others suffering. We are all one human family,” said Ms. Barankitse. “When people stop being human, it’s a shame for humanity.”
Mirza Dinnayi, 2019 Aurora Prize Laureate and Co-Founder and Director of Luftbrücke Irak (Air Bridge Iraq), reflected on the long arc of his work in human rights and humanitarian aid, emphasizing the importance of having a clear vision rooted in experience. “It’s a kind of force, like a dynamo, that moves you forward and drives you to make decisions. Because you’re on the ground, you know exactly what’s needed in that region or community,” explained Mr. Dinnayi. “Sometimes, it’s unfortunate: you realize things one or two years before others even start thinking about them. It feels like a kind of craziness when you reach that point, but you need it.”
Julienne Lusenge, 2021 Aurora Prize Laureate and Founder of the Fund for Congolese Women, shared how the people around her support her work advocating for justice and women’s rights as she continues urging governments to take action to stop the ongoing war in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and mentioned how this helps her persevere, especially during moments of self-doubt. “Each day, I get many messages from women asking me to help, to do something, to stop the war. Sometimes I wonder, “Why do they think I can stop this war?” And I reply, “My sister, I am weak, I cannot.” But they always tell me, “No, you can do something.” And no one else is coming to stop it.”
When asked about being separated from the roots of her lifelong work, Sima Samar, Aurora Luminary, human rights advocate, medical doctor, and former Vice President and Minister for Women’s Affairs of Afghanistan, stressed that the normalization of human rights violations anywhere is a tragedy for all of humanity, as it questions the very meaning of our existence. “For me, injustice in Afghanistan is injustice everywhere. Afghanistan remains a humanitarian crisis that is often overlooked, despite the involvement of nearly every country. After 20 years of fighting and efforts to steer the country in the right direction, we all failed,” noted Dr. Samar. “We must promote accountability and avoid revenge, as revenge only breeds more hatred and problems. Instead, we should fight for justice—not through violence, but by resisting injustice.”