Damien Helly
Co-founder and Chair
Damien initiated the launch of the organisation by running a feasibility study in 2018 on the need for innovative action in EU international cultural relations.
In his professional life, he is an independent cultural advisor and runs his consultancy dh creative partnerships.
Damien is also a Visiting Professor at the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy at the College of Europe in Bruges where he teaches a course and supervises master-level theses on “Culture, States and Societies: National Factors in EU External Action”.
He has worked as Head of Cultural Skills, EU for the British Council (Arts, Europe) and as Senior Programme Manager with ECDPM, EUISS, Crisis Group, Saferworld.
He holds of a PhD in political science from the Institute of Political Studies of Paris (Sciences Po) and has published extensively on the EU’s external action and international cultural relations.