Shillong, Jul 17: Working toward fostering international awareness among local youth, Mrs. N. Hills Tiny Tots East Ville Secondary School hosted a virtual guest lecture featuring the Cultural and Press Counsellor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in India, Fernando Magallanes Mato.
The webinar was organised as the maiden initiative under the school’s newly launched project, “Tiny Tots East Ville: Passport to the World.”
Centered on the theme, “Spain-India Dual Year 2026: Marking 70 Years of Diplomatic Relations and Highlighting Areas of Cooperation in Culture, Tourism, and Artificial Intelligence,” the webinar attracted participation not just from the faculty and students of Tiny Tots East Ville but also from other institutions, including St. Edmund’s College, BSF Senior Secondary School (Shillong), MIT Meghalaya, and Shri Ram College of Commerce (Delhi), among others.
During his address, Mato outlined the strategic importance of the upcoming “Dual Year 2026” which celebrates seven decades of India-Spain bilateral ties. He discussed the year-long joint program focused on three modern pillars: culture, tourism, and artificial intelligence.
The diplomat highlighted the recent visit of Spain’s Prime Minister to India for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, emphasising the role of emerging technologies in future diplomatic and economic partnerships.
Marking a unique conclusion to the event, students participated in a postcard-writing session, drafting personal messages addressed to the Spanish Embassy, which will be formally delivered to New Delhi.
“Such engagements, we believe, will allow students engaged in Model United Nations and those with a broader interest in international affairs and debate to participate in a one-on-one interaction with diplomats, giving them hands-on experience in diplomacy,” Bala Syiem, Academic Supervisor said.
