LAHORE, Nov 18: His Highness Karim Aga Khan has been awarded the internationally-acclaimed David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award 2012 in a ceremony held under the aegis of "University for a Night", sponsored by Hashoo Foundation, Kim Samuel Johnson and Shell.

A press release by Hashoo Foundation says the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award is given each year to a personality for outstanding contribution in bridging social gaps and helping out civil society in strengthening the social fiber. This year's event was held in Europe for the first time in which 155 renowned personalities from across the world were gathered in London.

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is carrying out various projects in different countries around the world, including Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Aga Khan emphasized the importance of civil society in development particularly in countries with fragile governments.

The press release said that people like Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, Queen Rania of Jordon and Bill Gates have won the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award before Aga Khan.