SHILLONG: In a significant step toward fostering international awareness among local youth, Mrs. N. Hills Tiny Tots East Ville Secondary School virtually hosted Mr. Fernando Magallanes Mato, Cultural and Press Counsellor at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in India.
The webinar marked the inaugural event under the school’s new initiative, “Tiny Tots East Ville: Passport to the World.”
The virtual guest lecture centered on “Spain-India Dual Year 2026: Marking 70 Years of Diplomatic Relations and Highlighting Areas of Cooperation in Culture, Tourism, and Artificial Intelligence.”
The event drew enthusiastic participation not only from the host school’s faculty and students but also from leading institutions nationwide, including St. Edmund’s College, MIT Meghalaya, and Shri Ram College of Commerce (Delhi).
Mr. Mato’s address explored the strategic significance of the ‘Dual Year 2026,’ commemorating seven decades of India-Spain relations.
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He outlined the joint program’s focus on three modern pillars: culture, tourism, and artificial intelligence.
Notably, he cited the Spanish Prime Minister’s visit to India for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, emphasizing the expanding role of emerging technologies in shaping diplomatic and economic partnerships.
The session concluded with a lively Q&A, allowing students to engage directly with Mr. Mato on topics such as international student exchange, career prospects in global diplomacy, the trajectory of Indo-Spanish relations, and Spanish festivals and language learning.
To mark the event’s close, students participated in a postcard-writing session, crafting personal messages to the Spanish Embassy, to be formally sent to New Delhi.
“Such engagements, we believe, will allow students engaged in Model United Nations and those interested in international affairs and debate to interact one-on-one with diplomats, giving them hands-on experience in diplomacy,” said Miss Bala Syiem, Academic Supervisor.
Buoyed by the event’s positive reception, the organizers plan to continue the global lecture series in the future.
(4FrontMedia news)
