The Hon. Erna Hennicot-Schoepges (Luxembourg)

Ms. Erna Hennicot-Schoepges is a former Luxembourg Member of Parliament, Minister of Culture and Religious Affairs and member of the European Parliament. She was the rapporteur to the European Parliament for the “European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, 2008."

She was elected as Member of the European Parliament in 2004. During her five-year mandate, she established herself as an active member of environment and research. Ms. Hennicot-Schoepges completed her education in Music Studies, Philosophy, and Literature at the Conservatoire Royal de Musique in Bruxelles, Ecole Normale in Paris, the Mozarteum in Salzburg, and the Centre Universitaire in Luxembourg, respectively, and as such. has a deep interest in cultural and civil affairs. She is known for her active involvement in numerous foundations, where issues such as Intercultural and Inter-religious Dialogue and Cultural Itineraries are treated.

Ms. Hennicot-Schoepges was the first female President of Luxembourg’s Parliament and was later appointed as Luxembourg’s Minister of Culture, Higher Education, and Research and Public Works. She continues to be active in culture and politics, and has a weekly column in the French-language newspaper "Le Jeudi," where she writes on current issues of the European Union, as well as other subjects ranging from Human Rights and religion toeducation.

Ms. Hennicot-Schoepges is a member of the Jury for the European Capitals of Culture, a member of the Council of State in Luxembourg, and the Vice Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Berlin based Institute for Cultural Diplomacy.