Los Angeles [USA], May 30 : Hollywood actor and activist George Clooney renewed his endorsement of a million- dollar peace prize by speaking about the power of 'individuals to make a difference,' while addressing various humanitarian crisis of the world.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 56-year-old-actor, who addressed the awards ceremony of the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity via video feed, feels that in times when violence continues to threaten people's spirits, "it is important to recognize people who selflessly help others".
This year's Aurora Prize went to American doctor Tom Catena, a Catholic missionary from Amsterdam, N.Y., who has saved thousands of lives working as the sole doctor permanently based in Sudan's war-ravaged Nuba Mountains.
Talking about Dr. Catena, Clooney said, "As violence and war continue to threaten people's spirits and perseverance, it is important to recognize, empower and celebrate people like Dr.
Catena who are selflessly helping others to not only survive, but thrive. Dr. Catena is a role model to us all, and yet another example of people on the ground truly making a difference." The 'Money Monster' star and father-to-be further joked "how he would have never returned back home, if he was there attending the ceremony." "I really would have been [in Yerevan] but if I came there and my wife had twins while I was there, I could never come home," he added.
The actor-turned-activist gave a video address at the award ceremony because he was at home with wife Amal Clooney, while the two prepare to become parents in the coming days.
For the unversed, The Aurora prize, launched last year, was set up to honour the survivours of the Armenian genocide of 1915-1923 and to inspire others to follow the example of people of all nationalities who at that time came to the aid of people suffering in one of the earliest and, at the time, biggest humanitarian crises of the 20th century.
Source: ANI
