Christine Beerli

Christine Beerli, born in 1953, began her political career in Biel/Bienne, serving on the city's municipal council from 1980 to 1983. She was a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Canton of Bern from 1986 until her election, in 1991, to the Upper House of the Swiss parliament, where she remained until retiring from politics in 2003. While in parliament, Ms Beerli chaired the Foreign Affairs Committee (1998–1999), the Committee for Social Security and Health (2000–2001) and the caucus of the Free Democratic Party (1996–2003). Since January 2006, she has headed Swissmedic, the Swiss supervisory authority for therapeutic products. In January 2008, Ms Beerli was appointed permanent vice-president of the ICRC. As such, she is a member of the ICRC Assembly and of the Assembly council and the Office of the President. She works closely with the ICRC president, deputizing for him when necessary. In particular, she focuses on the development of governance and internal-control mechanisms, helping to ensure they are coherent and run smoothly, and on strengthening and developing relationships within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.