The SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, is to be honoured by the Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, in the US. It will be the 19th doctorate awarded to the Nobel laureate.
Mr Hume leaves Belfast today for Rhode Island, and is due to receive the honour on Monday.
The President of the European Commission, Mr Romano Prodi, and Queen Noor of Jordan, wife of the late King Hussein, are also to be honoured.