Ruth Dreifuss studied in Geneva where she received a degree in economics with special focus on econometrics in 1971. In her varied professional career she served as hotel secretary, editor of the weekly journal Coopération, and Assistant at the Geneva University Psychosocial Centre. After obtaining a degree in economics, she became an Assistant at the Geneva University Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences. She also worked for nine years for the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid for the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and became Secretary of the Swiss Trade Union Federation in 1981. In that capacity, she was responsible for sectors including social insurance, labour law, women’s issues and relations with the academic institutions and with the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Ruth Dreifuss was elected Federal Councillor (Member of the Swiss government) in 1993 by the Federal Assembly (Parliament), and was re-elected twice. From 1993 to 2002 she was Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs, the ministry responsible for public health, social insurance, scientific research, higher education, gender equality and culture, and also environment until 1997. During the year 1999, Ruth Dreifuss was President of the Swiss Confederation.

As the person responsible for higher education, she initiated a stronger cooperation between central government and the cantons and reformed the governance of the Swiss technical high schools. After her retirement from government, she contributed to the reform of the University of Geneva and to the WHO report on intellectual property rights, innovation and public health. Since 2003, she has been a member of the Council and the Executive Board of the University for Peace and succeeded to Graca Machel as Chancellor of this institution.