Maria João Rodrigues
| Maria João Rodrigues | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
In 2015
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 1955 Lisbon, Portugal |
| Political party | Socialist Party |
| Alma mater |
University of Lisbon Pantheon-Sorbonne University |
| Profession | professor of political economy, ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon |
Maria João Rodrigues (born 1955) is a Portuguese academic specialised in EU affairs and a European politician. She was Minister for Qualifications and Employment of Portugal in the first government of Prime Minister António Guterres (1995–1997).
Known as the "mother of the Lisbon Strategy", she has been an expert on EU political economy and has notably served as special adviser to a number of elected representatives at both Portuguese and EU level (in particular to former Prime Minister Guterres, to several European Commissioners and to the former President of the Party of European Socialists Poul Nyrup Rasmussen). In 2014, she was elected member of the European Parliament, integrating the Socialists and Democrats political group, which elected her as Vice-president for economic and social affairs.
In December 2015 she was appointed a member of the Portuguese State Council.
Maria João Rodrigues holds three master's degrees and a PhD in economics from the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne as well as a Degree in Sociology from the University of Lisbon.
She was decorated notably with:
- Nominated for the Gaetan Pirou Award (Economic Science Award given by French universities at national level), 1986.
- Gulbenkian Science and Technology National Award in Portugal, 1986 for her PhD thesis on the Employment System
- Highly mentioned in the Boa Esperança Science and Technology Award in Portugal, 1992.
- Ordre de la Couronne de Chêne au grade de Commandeur of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg for her contribution to the promotion of social Europe, 2000.
- Ordem do Infante Dom Henrique, Grand Official of the Portuguese Republic for her academic and public service functions and for her European contribution, 2003.
- Légion d’Honneur – Chevalier of the French Republic for her role in the European integration and the EU Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs, 2005. Promotion to the degree of Officier for her role in the EU Presidency and the Lisbon Treaty, 2008.
Professor of Economics at the University Institute of Lisbon (ISCT-IUL) since 1987, Maria João Rodrigues started her career in public affairs in 1993 as a consultant in the Ministry of Employment and Social Security, then headed by José Falcão e Cunha in the conservative government of Prime Minister Aníbal Cavaco Silva. Following the victory of the Socialist Party in the 1995 general elections, she was appointed Minister for Qualifications and Employment by Prime Minister António Guterres on 28 October 1995. She completed a major reform in the management of the European Social Fund and held this office until 25 November 1997, when she was dismissed. After she stepped down, the ministry was abolished and the constituent parts were reallocated to other ministries. In the current government, the responsibilities of the former Minister for Qualifications and Employment have been reallocated to the Secretary of State for Employment and Vocational Training within the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity.
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