Viviane Reding Biography

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Viviane Reding born 27 April 1951 in Esch-sur-Alzette is a Luxembourg politician, currently serving as European Commissioner for Information Society and Media. Before starting a professional career as a journalist for the leading newspaper in Luxembourg, the Luxemburger Wort, she obtained a doctorate in human sciences at the Sorbonne. From 1986 to 1998, she was President of the Luxembourg Union of Journalists. She is married and has three children.

She started her political career in 1979, as a Member of the Luxembourg Parliament and held the following positions:

President of social committee
Member of the Office of the Chamber of Deputies
Member of the Benelux Parliament
Member of the North Atlantic Assembly (leader of Christian Democrat/Conservative group)

She then became leader of Luxembourg’s European People's Party delegation in the European Parliament from 1989 to 1999 and she was a Member of the group's office.

Within the European Parliament, she has held positions as President of the Petitions Committee for about 3 years, and Vice-President of the Social Committee and the Civil Liberties and Internal Affairs Committee for about 2 years each.

From 1981 to 1999, she was Member of the City Council of the city of Esch, in which she was President of the Cultural Affairs Committee from 1992 to 1999.

From 1988 to 1993, she was national president of the Christian-Social Women and from 1995 to 1999 Vice-president of the Christian Social People's Party.

From 1999 to 2004, she was appointed Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth, Media and Sport and in 2004 her responsibility changed to Information Society and Media.

She has earned the following prizes and distinctions:

Prizes and distinctions

1992—St George’s Cross from the Generalitat of Catalunya
2001—Gold Medal of European Merit
2004—Doctorate Honoris Causa from the Hu Chen University of Taiwan
2004—Doctorate Honoris Causa from the University of Genoa
2004—Robert Schuman Medal
2004—Doctorate Honoris Causa from the University of Torino
2004—Prince of Asturias International Cooperation Prize
2005—Officer of the French Legion of Honor
2005—“Gloria Artis” Medal of Honor from Poland