Mrs Mary Robinson, former president and current UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has been awarded the 1999 Erasmus Prize, the Netherlands' highest cultural award. Mrs Robinson received the prize in recognition of her role as a "worthy standard-bearer for collective responsibility" - the theme chosen for this year's award.
"She plays an exemplary role, quietly but convincingly, in the defence of these fundamental, European values," the foundation which makes the selection stated.
The prize includes a sum of 300,000 guilders (£171,415) and is awarded annually to an individual or organisation "that has made an exceptionally important contribution to European culture, society or social science."
Named after the 15th-century Dutch humanist, its board is chaired by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, husband of ex-Queen Juliana. Previous recipients of the prize include Mr Jacques Delors, former president of the European Commission and one of the architects of the single European currency.
Mrs Robinson took up her position with the UN in 1997.