Maria Arena was born on December 17, 1966, in Mons. After graduating in economic sciences, she decided to enter politics at 33 years old.
Within the Belgian Socialist Party, she quickly assumed the position of Minister of Training and Employment. After this first political experience, Maria Arena got another ministerial post in 2003. In the following years, she became Minister President of the French Community in charge of education, social promotion and professional training in Wallonia. She is the second woman in the history of Belgium to exercise that position.
European affairs have always occupied an important place in the life of Maria Arena. Early in her career, she created an "EU funding" service at FOREM and managed its funding while negotiating with the European authorities. In 2009, after another ministerial post, she became Senator and became particularly interested in international issues (Europe, development cooperation, foreign relations and defence).
Therefore, it is natural that in 2014, Maria Arena became an S&D MEP and a member of the following committees:
Member
- INTA : International Trade
- FEMM : Women’s rights and gender equality
- EMPL : Employment and social affairs
Substitute
- DPAP : Delegation for relations with the Pan-African Parliament
- DACP: Delegation to the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly
For the 2019-2024 term, Maria Arena will be Chair of the Subcommittee DROI (Human Rights) and she will be member and substitute member of the following committees:
Chair
- DROI : Subcommittee on Human Rights
Member
- CPCO : Conference of Committee Chairs
- AFET : Committee on Foreign Affairs
- DPAP : Delegation for relations with the Pan-African Parliament
- DACP : Delegation to the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly
Substitute
- ENVI : Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety