Responsibilities and Functions

Margit Fischer's human and professional image stretches far beyond the stereotypical profile of a "First Lady." For this reason, she has developed her own distinctive profile alongside the President, and does not limit herself to "merely" accompanying her husband to events at home in Austria and abroad.

• Her first area of interest is helping the disadvantaged and the disabled, and the organisations that assist them. Margit Fischer visits and supports charitable organisations such as Volkshilfe (People's Aid), Caritas, Save the Children, SOS Children's Villages Austria and the Down Syndrome Centre. In her political and humanitarian way of thinking, she sees her commitment to these groups as an attempt to support and promote human dignity in the interest of human rights. 

• A second area to which she is politically and socially committed is the "Österreichischer Frauenrat" (ÖFR, Austrian Women's Council), which she co-founded and has chaired since 1995. At its monthly meetings, presentations and discussions take place, offering a more in-depth understanding of various women's and social policy issues. The Women's Council provides women from the most diverse areas of business with an opportunity to broaden their knowledge and to speak up about complex issues, with each bringing in her own unique perspective. 

• A third area of Margit Fischer's activities has been interactive, self-directed learning. She has been very enthusiastic about this concept for many years. With hands-on activities, science and technology become directly graspable; they encourage questioning issues pertaining to our everyday life and getting involved personally. This has led Margit Fischer to become the honorary and very active chair of the "ScienceCenter-Netzwerk" (ScienceCenter Network). Since its founding in 2005, this association has connected over 100 dedicated initiatives all over Austria. It has initiated exhibition projects and accompanying research, and has supported co-operation on an international level as well.