The aspen Cultural Diplomacy Awards recognise lifetime achievement, excellence, and innovation in the field of cultural diplomacy. They are presented to both institutions and individuals. The first Aspen Cultural Diplomacy Award was presented to the British Council in 2008 in recognition of its leadership and innovation in the field in 2009, composer and producer Quincy Jones was honoured with the Aspen Cultural Diplomacy Life time Achievement Award, in 2010singer Youssou N;Dour received the Award, in 2011Neal Baer, pictorial professor and composer J.H. Kwalsena Nketia and in 2012the Award was given to an extraordinary individual from the field of politics and international development, and to an organization that promotes dialogue among culture through music. Mrs Sadako Ogata received the Aspen Award for life time Achievement, while Melody for Dialogue Association was recognised with the Aspen Cultural Diplomacy Award for an Emerging Voice.