MONDIACULT 2022: Towards a New Culture Goal for the Sustainable Development Framework

Dr Elena Theodoulou-Charalambous holds a PhD in cultural policy and cultural governance (UK). She also holds an MA in Music Education (UK), a primary school teacher’s degree, a music diploma, and a post-graduate certificate from City University, U.K. on Arts Policy and Management as well as on the International Governance of Culture. 

She worked as a TV, radio presenter and journalist on programmes related to cultural affairs.  She has worked as a music educator for several years as well as an officer in the Curriculum Development Department of the Ministry of Education and Culture.  Since 1999 she has been working at the Culture Department of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports. She held various positions in the cultural field (i.e. General Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra, Chairperson of the panel of experts for the State Prize for Children Literature, Chairperson of the panel of experts for the State Prize of Children’s Book Illustration). Since 2007 she has been in charge of the European and International Cultural Affairs Unit as well as of the Music Unit of the Ministry. She has been a member of the Steering Committee for Culture, Heritage and Landscape (CDCPP) of the Council of Europe since 2008. She participates as a national expert in various European working groups (i.e. OMC - Expert Working Group on maximising the potential of Cultural and Creative Industries, in particular that of SMEs).  She is the focal point of the EUNIC in Cyprus. Moreover, Dr Theodoulou, is Cyprus representative and the focal point at the Intergovernmental Committee for the Unesco Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.  Since 2007 she has been the national expert at the Cultural Affairs Committee of the Council of the EU, which she also chaired in the second half of 2012.

She has been a member of the Academic Council of the MA Programme on “Cultural Policy and Cultural Development” at the Open University of Cyprus (2014-2017). Since 2020 she has been appointed by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus, as the Chairperson of the newly established Organisation for European Programmes and Cultural Relations (OECPR). The OEPCR’s main strategic objective is the development and improvement of Cyprus CCS competitiveness through enhancing intercultural dialogue, nurturing diversity, empowering local talent, fostering networking and designing capacity building programmes in an inclusive and holistic approach. Dr Theodoulou is currently leading all the discussions regarding the strategic objectives of the OEPCR, including initiatives in the broader Mediterranean Region.

She is actively involved in projects which aim at promoting the transversal nature of cultural policy and at mainstreaming cultural action into the broader public agenda. Her research interests can be summarised in the following: cultural governance, comparative cultural policy research, strategic cultural planning, music management, music education, culture and well-being, culture in external relations and culture in sustainable development.