Born in Switzerland, Ms Calmy-Rey obtained a Master’s degree in political science from the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva (1968). From 1981 to 2011, she held various political positions in Switzerland, including member of the PS-SP of the Canton of Geneva (1979); member of the Geneva Cantonal Parliament (PS-SP, 1981–97), Chair of the Finance Committee and Speaker of Parliament; President of PS-SP for the Canton of Geneva (1986–90, 1993–97); member of the Government Council of the Canton of Geneva, Head of the Department of Finance (1997–2002) and President of the Government Council (2001 & 2002); member of the Swiss Federal Council (2003–2011), Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) (2003–2011), Vice President of the Swiss Federal Council (2006 & 2010) and President of the Swiss Confederation (2007 & 2011); President of the Council of Europe (2010); Chairwoman of the Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie (2010–2011); member of the Board of Directors of Caisse d’Épargne de la République et Canton de Genève (1986–1993); member of the Board of Fonds d’Équipement Communal for the Canton of Geneva (1998–2002); Vice President and then President of the Canton of Geneva Employees’ Pension Fund (Caisse de Prévoyance du Personnel Enseignant de l’Instruction Publique et des Fonctionnaires de l’Administration du Canton de Genève, 1998–2002); and member of the Board of Directors of the Swiss National Bank (2002).