We interviewed Dr. Elisenda Calvet, director of the Course on Current Issues in Spain Foreign Policy, to solve the most frequent doubts about the course and tell us about the novelties of this edition:

Which is the origin of the Course?

The course has been done for 17 years in CEI with the collaboration of the Diplomatic School of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, with the aim of publicizing the current foreign policy of Spain and discusses it. It is also a way of awakening interest in international relations and diplomacy in general.

What countries or geographical areas will be discussed this year?

In this edition, the course will focus on the European Union, especially on the impact of Brexit. In addition, Spain’s relations with India, an emerging actor in East Asia, will also be analyzed. Finally, the challenges of the Sahel and Mali in Africa will be considered, in which Spain has a significant role.

How’s the methodology of the course?

The course is structured in round tables in which, on the one hand, a person from the diplomatic corps of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and, on the other hand, a person from the academic field participate. Then there is a debate between the public and the speakers.

Who is the course aimed at?

The course is aimed at general public, people who are studying university, especially Political Science or Law, but not exclusively, as well as people interested in International Relations and Spanish diplomacy.

Can the students take the course in each edition?

As the course deals with the current affairs of Spanish foreign policy, the issues addressed are changing in each edition and allows keeping abreast of international relations of Spain in relation to different countries and topics.

What knowledge will be obtained by those who take this edition of the course?

Those who attend the course will be familiar with the Spanish foreign policy, hand in hand with academic experts and diplomatic personnel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.