therealdesign

Βorn in 1959 in Kozani, Νorthern Greece. Married to Giannis Savalanos, a civil engineer. They have one son, Haridimos.

University Studies

Holds a degree from the Aristoteleion University of Thessaloniki (Civil Engineering Dept.) and graduate honours on Regional Development at the Panteion University.

Political Career

- Her political career began in Local Administration and she became the youngest ever Prefectat the age of 25.
- Αppointed President of the Hellenic Organisation of Small and Medium-Sized Undertakings and Handicrafts (EOMMEX) in 1993.
- Εlected MP for Kozani in the 1996 Elections.
- Deputy-Minister of Development in charge of privatisation and industrial restructuring, 1996-1999.
- In September 1999 she became European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs.
- Returned to the Hellenic Parliament in 2004 and was re-elected as MP for Athens in 2007 and 2009.
- Shadow Minister of Education, 2007-2009
- Minister of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs, October 2009 - March 2012
- Minister of Development, Competitiveness and Shipping, March 2012 – May 2012

International Activities

- Member of the Board of Trustees of Friends of Europe since 2005.
- Chairperson of the Party of European Socialists’ Forum on the European Dimension of New Social Europe.
- Member of the Board of NotreEurope since 2006.

During her mandate as Commissioner,

There was the adoption of the Agenda for Social Policy as well as a series of strategies and programmes aiming at securing equal opportunities for men and women, improving working conditions, legislating against discrimination at work and the fight against social exclusion. There was also the European Strategy for Employment and agreement on the White Paper on Corporate Social Responsibility while the completion of the European Health Card is considered as one of the most important steps towards a Social Europe.
During her tenure, there was also the setting up of the European Employment Policy and the European Policy against Poverty.
Anna also instigated the open coordination for cooperation on pension systems’ reform.

University Lectures

Anna has given lectures in many European and US universities. In Europe, she has presented at the universities of Bocconi in Milan, the University of Frankfurt, the London School of Economics, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the University of Athens, the University of Modena and others. In the USA, she has given lectures at the Universities of Boston, Queen’s College, NY, MIT, and Harvard.

Written Contributions

- Intelligent Greece (in Greek), Anna Diamantopoulou, 2004

- European Integration and Governance: A comparison with the US modelin Transatlantic Relations: Cooperation or Competition, Sotiris Ntalis (Ed), 2004

- The Future of Europe: A discussion for all – a question of participation, Anna Diamantopoulou, 2002

Honours:

Officer of the Legion d’ Honneur, in recognition by the President of the French Republic of her contribution in the social realm and especially in lifelong learning and combating the unemployment of youths.

She has also been honoured by the Confederation of Danish Industrialists for the creation of the White Paper and the programme on Corporate Social Responsibility.