Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS delivered a special talk on “Promotion of humanitarianism and peace by arresting violence” on May 29, 2017 at the American University of Armenia in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. A keynote speaker at the event, he was given a generous time slot of one and a half hours to share the best practices at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) with the esteemed audience consisting of Nobel laureates, leading experts from across the international humanitarian community, business, philanthropy, student leaders and media in Armenia. He is the first Indian to have been invited to speak at this important event. 

Armenia, one of the oldest civilizations in the world, is observing 2015 to 2023 in remembrance of the eight years of the Armenian Genocide from 1915-1923. In this eight year’s commitment Aurora Humanitarian Initiative was founded on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and in gratitude to their saviours. Aurora Humanitarian Initiative considers Prof. Samanta as a saviour and his contribution to the society, particularly the marginalized poor sections, as humanitarianism par excellence. He has created revolution through KISS that is working on eradication of poverty through education and creating sustainable and peaceful society.

In recognition to his humanitarian service, Prof. Samanta was invited to be the keynote speaker in the open lectures at the Second Annual Aurora Dialogues, one of the most important events culminating with the presentation of the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity.