Ursula Plassnik is a lawyer by training and a career diplomat. From 1997 to 2004 she was chief of staff for Wolfgang Schüssel, former Federal Chancellor of Austria. She also served as the Austrian ambassador to Switzerland. In 2004 she was appointed Austrian foreign minister. Throughout her diplomatic career she has placed an emphasis on European affairs, multilateral issues, security policy and East-West relations. She is internationally renowned for her work on the role of women in peace building, issues of female leadership, and the dialogue of cultures and religions. Dr. Plassnik is a member of the Member of the Austrian Parliament and special envoy for international women's affairs of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs. She is a graduate of the University of Vienna and a postgraduate from the College of Europe in Bruges.