"In light of her many years of political experience in Europe and numerous policymaking fields, Viviane Reding will make an outstanding addition to the Board of Trustees at the Bertelsmann Stiftung. I am very pleased to be able to welcome such an exceptional individual to our ranks," said Professor Dr. Werner J. Bauer, chairman of the Bertels¬mann Stiftung Board of Trustees.
In 1999 Viviane Reding joined the Commission under Romano Prodi before serving as Commissioner responsible for various areas under Manuel Barroso until 2014, most recently as Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. She was first elected to the European Parliament in 1989 as a representative from Luxembourg where she was a member of the Christian-Democratic EPP Group and served as President of the Petitions Committee until 1992. Among other positions, she was Vice-President of the Committee on Social Affairs, Employment and the Working Environment from 1992 to 1994 and a member of the Committee for Civil Liberties and Home Affairs from 1997 to 1999. She has again been a member of the European Parliament since 2014.
About the Bertelsmann Stiftung:
The Bertelsmann Stiftung is dedicated to serving the common good. It executes projects in the areas of education, democracy, social affairs, health, culture and business. Through the example of its civic engagement it wants to encourage others to support their own communities as well. Founded in 1977 as a registered charity, the Bertelsmann Stiftung is majority shareholder of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA. Structured as a private operating foundation, it is politically nonpartisan and works independently of Bertelsmann’s corporate operations.