MUMBAI: Sean Penn, actor and founder and CEO of J/P Haitian Relief Organization has been presented with the 2012 Peace Summit Award at the recently held 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.

Said Honorary co-chair of the World Summit Host Committee Mayor Rahm Emanuel “Chicago is honored to be the first North American city to host the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, and we look forward to welcoming distinguished guests from around the globe in April. The decision to host this event in Chicago reflects the profile of our city as an international leader in civic dialogue and community involvement. While the Summit is a global event, it will have a local impact and leave a lasting legacy on our city.”

Penn has been honoured for “making an outstanding contribution to international social justice and peace,” according to a press statement.

The three-day event was scheduled for April 23-25 in Chicago, IL, with eleven Nobel Peace Prize-winning individuals and nine Laureate organizations in attendance. Penn thanked the organization for its recognition of his efforts to assist the victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and “his ongoing advocacy for peace and human rights protection worldwide.”

"IThis is an extraordinary honor in an extraordinary moment on Earth. I‘m very grateful," said Penn.