NEW YORK, NY — The Atlantic Council on September 21 in New York will present its third annual Global Citizen Awards to two inspiring women: Burma’s opposition politician and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and Japan’s former UN High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata; to America’s legendary global strategist and Nobel laureate Henry Kissinger; and to the American musician-humanitarian Quincy Jones.

“These awards cast a spotlight on the Atlantic Council’s global mission and the urgent necessity for North America and Europe to work at a common cause around the world,” said Senator Chuck Hagel, chairman of the Atlantic Council. “This event also recognizes very special individuals who have made important contributions to this global common cause.” 

“By honoring two such brave women—one of the most well-known political prisoners of our times and a courageous campaigner for human rights from Bosnia to Rwanda—we help define the notion of global citizenship even as we honor it,” said Frederick Kempe, president and CEO of the Atlantic Council. “That message is further strengthened through our recognition of a legendary American geo-strategist and a musician-humanitarian.”     

The Council the same evening will formally launch its Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, ending the Council’s 50th Anniversary capital campaign. With the aim of addressing the urgent security challenges of a dramatically changing world, the Center will absorb and significantly expand the work of the long-standing International Security Program to tackle a host of new issues—ranging from cyber security to long-term strategic planning—and adopt an agenda that more deeply and sustainably engages global partners beyond traditional NATO allies. 

Now in its third year, the Global Citizen Awards recognizes visionary global leaders who have made exceptional and distinctive contributions to the strengthening of the transatlantic relationship and international understanding. Last year’s awardees were IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde—who will present the award to Suu Kyi this year—US Senator John Kerry and, posthumously, the former Prime Minister of Lebanon Rafik Hariri. 

Read more about this year’s honorees. 

The Global Citizen Awards Dinner is open for press coverage, but event accreditation is required.  

For more information, or to request press accreditation, please send your full name, title, and media outlet to Taleen Ananian at press@acus.org by September 17, 2012. Space is very limited, so early requests are encouraged.