Anna Diamantopoulou

Anna Diamantopoulou
Minister for Development, Competitiveness and Shipping
In office 7 March 2012 – 17 May 2012
Prime Minister	Lucas Papademos
Preceded by	Michalis Chrisochoidis
Succeeded by	Yannis Stournaras
Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs
In office 7 October 2009 – 7 March 2012
Prime Minister	George Papandreou Lucas Papademos
Preceded by	Aris Spiliotopoulos (National Education and Religious Affairs)
Succeeded by	Georgios Babiniotis
European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs
In office 25 September 1999 – 18 February 2004
President	Romano Prodi
Preceded by	Pádraig Flynn
Succeeded by	Stavros Dimas
Personal details
Born	26 February 1959 Kozani, Greece
Political party	Panhellenic Socialist Movement
Spouse(s)	Giannis Savalanos
Children	Haridimos
Alma mater	Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Panteion University
Website	www.diamantopoulou.gr

Anna Diamantopoulou (Greek: Άννα Διαμαντοπούλου; born 26 February 1959 in Kozani, Greece) is President of the Greek think tank "TO DIKTIO"^[1] and former Minister of Education. She is also a former European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities in the Prodi Commission, a post she held between 1999–2004.^[2][3]

Career

A civil engineer by training, Diamantopoulou's political career began in 1984, when she was appointed as a Prefects of Kastoria. Two years later (1986), she was appointed as Secretary General for Adult Education and later for Youth. She was appointed President of the Hellenic Organization of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Handicraft (EOMMEX) in 1993 and left the position to become Secretary General for Industry.

Political career

Anna Diamantopoulou's parliamentary career began in 1996 when she was elected to represent the district of Kozani. She was appointed as Deputy Minister for Development in charge of privatisation and industrial restructuring, a position she left in order to become a European Commissioner.

On 4 October 2009 she was re-elected as a Member of Parliament and served as Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs in the cabinet of George Papandreou. In her capacity as education minister, Diamantopoulou cited diminishing tertiary-education enrolments as justification for the abolition of minimum academic requirements for undergraduate admission which had long been suggested by the academic community and recently introduced by the state to ensure higher standards. This measure helped save failing low-ranking institutions such as the TEI of Western Macedonia in her former constituency, as it enabled them to broaden recruitment by admitting students from the lowest percentiles of the nationwide examination rankings. In response to criticism that her policy was diluting academic standards for populist purposes, Diamantopoulou replied that 'in the past, failed applicants would go to private [tertiary] institutions and abroad' anyway.^[4]

Diamantopoulou declares herself a firm believer in Greece's ability to join the frontrunning countries in the knowledge economy by 2020. She is the author of a book called 'Exipni Ellada' (Intelligent Greece) which outlines the need for innovation, goal-oriented endeavours and professional approaches as the key prerequisites for social and economic progress.

Europe

Diamantopoulou has been very active in European affairs both from her position at the European Commission and since her return to Greece. A champion of women's issues and a staunch supporter of stronger, more competitive Europe, Anna Diamantopoulou continuously stresses the importance of balancing economic efficiency with social justice. She is among the most prominent political personalities of Europe.

Sources

• Official Website of Anna Diamantopoulou – Biography (Greek)
• Biography of Anna Diamantopoulou in the Official Website of the Hellenic Parliament (Greek) – (English)
• Official website of DIKTIO think tank

References

2. "About Anna Diamantopoulou". European Commission. (ec.europa.eu). Retrieved 7 October 2009.
3. "Anna Diamantopoulou". Hellenic Parliament. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
4. Mastoras, Nikos (26 August 2010), "Νέο εξεταστικό από το 2013", Ta Nea (Athens, Greece)

External links

• Official website of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (Greek)
• Official Website of Anna Diamantopoulou (Greek)