Born on 21 November 1942 in Frankfurt/Main
 
Since October 1998
Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development
 
1993
Deputy SPD Chairperson
 
1988
SPD District Chairperson for South Hesse
 
1987
Member of the German Bundestag and SPD Parliamentary Spokesperson on European Policy
 
1986
Member of the SPD Presidium
 
1984
Member of the SPD National Executive
 
1979 - 1987
Member of the European Parliament; European development policy, international agreements (Lomé)
 
1977 - 1979
Chairperson, European Coordination Bureau for International Youth Associations
 
1974 - 1977
Federal Chairperson of the Young Socialists
 
1972
Member of the Gross-Gerau District Council
 
1968
City Councillor in Rüsselsheim
 
1965 - 1974
Taught at Friedrich Ebert School, Rüsselsheim
 
1965
Joined the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD)
 
1961 - 1965
Studied English and History at Frankfurt University