100 LIVES announced 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 two-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 Clooney and her husband, George, have philanthropic ties to 100 LIVES. G. 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.
