Candidates for the International Council of Museums hail from Portugal's museumology field
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is gearing up for its 2025-2028 term elections, and two Portuguese professionals, Joana Sousa Monteiro and Luis Raposo, have thrown their hats into the ring for high positions within the organisation.
Luis Raposo, a renowned Portuguese archaeologist and historian, has served in various prominent roles within ICOM. He directed the National Archaeology Museum between 1996 and 2012 and was president of ICOM Portugal from 2008 to 2012. His tenure as president of ICOM Europe from 2016 to 2022 further solidified his standing within the organisation. Now, he is presenting himself as a candidate for the position of vice-president of ICOM International, with the support of several national and international committees, including ICOM Europe, ICOM Africa, ICOM Arab, and ICOM Portugal.
Joana Sousa Monteiro, another prominent figure in the Portuguese museum scene, has also made a significant impact on ICOM. She served as secretary of the board of ICOM Portugal from 2014 to 2016 and has been a regular member of the Executive Council of ICOM International since 2022. Currently, she is responsible for the Strategic Plan Committee of ICOM and previously served as president of the International Committee of ICOM for City Museums from 2016 to 2022. In addition to her museum work, she is the director of the Museum of Lisbon.
The elections for the Executive Council and the Advisory Council of ICOM International will take place during the 27th ICOM General Conference in November 2025, with the location set in Dubai. Other candidates vying for the presidency of ICOM International include Inkyung Chang from ICOM Korea, Antonio Rodriguez from ICOM United States of America, Terry Simioti Nyambe from ICOM Zambia, and Nathalie Bondil from ICOM France.
The official brochure of candidates for the ICOM elections, which includes the profiles of the candidates vetted by the Nominations and Election Committee according to ICOM's eligibility criteria, is publicly accessible through ICOM Portugal’s election materials. Details on the supporting committees for Luis Raposo and Joana Sousa Monteiro can be found within this brochure.
The upcoming elections mark a significant moment for ICOM, as the organisation looks to shape its future leadership and continue its mission of promoting the importance of museums and collections for the benefit of society and the global community.
[1] ICOM (2023). ICOM Elections 2025: Candidates for the Executive Council and the Advisory Council. Retrieved from https://icom.museum/en/news/icom-elections-2025-candidates-for-the-executive-council-and-the-advisory-council
[3] ICOM Portugal (2023). ICOM Elections 2025: Candidates for the Executive Council and the Advisory Council. Retrieved from https://icomportugal.pt/icom-elections-2025-candidates-for-the-executive-council-and-the-advisory-council/
- In his bid for the vice-president position of ICOM International, Luis Raposo emphasizes his extensive experience in culture and education-and-self-development, using his past roles in museum leadership as evidence of his commitment to personal growth and learning.
- Joana Sousa Monteiro, a current member of the Executive Council of ICOM International and the director of the Museum of Lisbon, offers a strong background in personal growth, learning, and museum work, positioning herself as a viable candidate for high positions within ICOM.
