Vivivane Reding (born 27 April, 1951 in Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg) is the current EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media.

Before starting a professional career as Journalist for the leading newspaper in Luxembourg, the 'Luxemburger Wort', she obtainined a doctorate in human sciences at the Sorbonne. She is married and has three children.

From 1986 to 1998, she was President of the Luxemburg Union of Journalists.

Political career

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 Commettee for about 3 years, and Vice-President of the Social Committe and the Civil Liberties and Internal Affaris Committee for about 2 years each.

From 1981 to 1999, she was Communal conciliator 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 Parti Chrétien-Social (PCS).

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

She has earned the following prizes and distinctions:

• 1992 St George’s Cross from the Generalitat of Catalunya
• 2001 Gold Medal of the European Merit Foundation
• 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

See also: Prodi Commission, Barroso Commission

external links

• Current Commissioner web site
• Archived web site as Commissioner for Culture and Education