Bill Clinton to Speak at Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Chicago

Clinton to keynote the opening April 23 dinner at The Field Museum

Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to speak at the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, hosted this April in Chicago, the summit host committee announced Monday.

Clinton will keynote the opening April 23 dinner at The Field Museum. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Pat Quinn, co-chairs of the summit, also will address a crowd of about 700.

Clinton last returned to the city earlier this month to unveil the Chicago Infrastructure Trust, meant to finance "transformative" renewal projects in the city, with Emanuel.

“Chicago is honored to be the first North American city to host a summit of Nobel Peace Prize winners and we’re honored to be joined by former President Bill Clinton,” said Emanuel in a statement. “President Clinton has worked tirelessly around the world to improve lives, resolve conflicts, and bring prosperity."

Clinton won't be the only high-profile guest in attendance. Actor Sean Penn will be awarded the 2012 Peace Summit Award for "his work to rebuild and aid the victims of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, as well as his ongoing advocacy for peace and human rights protection worldwide," according to the committee.

“The people of Illinois are proud to welcome leaders who have done so much to champion freedom and human rights around the world, especially President Clinton,” Quinn said in a statement. “It is my hope that this gathering will inspire others to take up the cause and make a difference in their country, their business and their community.”

The World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureate is being held April 23-25 in Chicago.

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