Hans-Joachim Hoffmann-Nowotny was Professor of Sociology at the University of Zurich. He received his MA from Cologne University (1966) and his PhD from the University of Zurich (1969). His research interests were focused (1) on international migration and minorities and, more generally, the socio-cultural determinants and consequences of sociodemographic developments, as well as on (2) the sociology of partnership, marriage and the family. Professor Hoffmann-Nowotny also worked intensively in the field of general sociological theory. His research resulted in more than 200 publications, among them several books. Professor Hoffmann-Nowotny was President of the Swiss Sociological Association (1982-1988), President of the Research Committee on Migration of the International Sociological Association (1978-1986) and Member of the Board and Vice-President of the German Association of Population Studies (1982-1986). From 1996 to 2002 he was President of the World Society Foundation. Professor Hoffmann-Nowotny was a corresponding member of the German Akademie für Raumforschung und Landesplanung.