My profile

Personal details

Born on 27 April 1951 in Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg, divorced, three children

Education: Doctor of human sciences, Sorbonne, Paris

Professional career

1978-1999

Journalist, Luxemburger Wort

1986-1998

President, Luxembourg Union of Journalists

Political career

1979-1989

Member of Luxembourg Parliament

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

1981-1999

City councillor, city of Esch-sur-Alzette

• President of Cultural Affairs Committee 1992-1999

1988-1993

National president of Christian-Social Women

1995-1999

Vice-president, PCS (Parti Chrétien-Social)

1989-1999

Member of the European Parliament

• President of the Petitions Committee 1989-1992
• Vice-president of Social Committee 1992-1994
• Vice-president of Civil Liberties and Internal Affairs Committee 1997-1999
• Head of Luxembourg delegation to EPP
• Member of EPP group office

1999-2004

Member of the European Commission (Education, Culture, Youth, Media, Sport)

2004-

Member of the European Commission (Information Society and Media)

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 "Gloria Artis" Medal of Honour from Poland
• 2005 Officer of the national Order of the French Legion of Honour
• 2007 Commissioner of the Year, European Voice
• 2007 Deutscher Mittelstandspreis