Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will accept the Medal of Freedom award from US President Barack Obama in Washington DC next week.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the US.

Other recipients of the Medal of Freedom this year include US Senator Edward Kennedy, former Irish President Mary Robinson, physicist Stephen Hawking, ‘micro-credit’ pioneer Muhammad Yunus, gay rights activist Harvey Milk and actor Sidney Poitier.

President Obama said in a statement, “These outstanding men and women represent an incredible diversity of backgrounds.

Their tremendous accomplishments span fields from science to sports, from fine arts to foreign affairs. Yet they share one overarching trait: Each has been an agent of change. Each saw an imperfect world and set about improving it, often overcoming great obstacles along the way.”

“I am overwhelmed, deeply honoured, humbled and I am something that I don’t often get to be, speechless,” Tutu said in a statement.

“As always, I am so aware that it’s really given to me representatively. I could not be who I have been without the millions of people who honoured me by agreeing for me to be their leader.

“I am standing out only because they are carrying me on their shoulders.”

The Medal of Freedom is designed to recognise individuals who have made an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the US, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavours.

The award is not limited to United States citizens, and while a civilian award, it can also be awarded to military personnel.

President Obama will present the awards at a ceremony on Wednesday, August 12.