The annual board meeting of the Cervantes Institute closed this week in Granada with a clear mandate: strengthen the network among the Institute’s centers worldwide to boost international links and enable cross-border activities that connect countries through culture, language, and learning initiatives.
Speaking at a post-meeting press conference, Carmen Noguero, the Institute’s general secretary, described the network as a cluster of centers united by shared values rather than simply a group connected to the headquarters. The regional reach inherent in this network creates opportunities to engage with people and institutions across each region, expanding the Institute’s influence and impact.
She emphasized that internal communication is what gives Cervantes its distinctive value today, urging the organization to leverage this advantage amid ongoing digital transformation to transcend borders. The goal is not just to circulate information but to deepen mutual understanding of regional environments, a process she believes no other institution handles as effectively.
Noguero urged a practical approach, speaking of work conducted with ambition and realism. The future challenge is to maximize the network of Cervantes centers so that ongoing projects progress, noting that progress would stall if the headquarters’ staff alone tried to carry the load without the active involvement of center staff.
She also highlighted the possibility of creating a new layer of collaboration: an international links network among centers that would allow cross-country, cross-center activities to intersect and enrich one another.
All of this unfolds in a time of transformation, with digital innovations increasingly shaping how institutions operate, including considerations around artificial intelligence and its role in organizational change.
Earlier in the event, Luis García Montero, director of the Cervantes Institute, underscored the ongoing importance of the Spanish language and culture as globalization advances. He stressed that defending and promoting Spanish involves embracing cultural diversity and respecting languages as shared human heritage. Advances in science and technology, he noted, remind everyone that language is a living, evolving force that belongs to all speakers.
García Montero also acknowledged the economic and labor realities facing leadership, noting that some tasks may feel uphill. Yet the role of Cervantes center directors worldwide enables problem-solving through collaborative, cross-border teamwork and local initiative alike.
During the event, a message from José Manuel Albares, minister of foreign affairs, European Union and cooperation, highlighted Cervantes Institute as a long-standing instrument of Spain’s international linguistic outreach for more than three decades. The minister described 2022 as a year of returning to normalcy, while recognizing that digital realities require a new approach. He pointed to the Institute’s alignment with the government’s resilience plan and its digitization program as a solid foundation to harness virtual opportunities.
Albares also spoke about the potential of artificial intelligence to broaden horizons, noting that Spanish can be a driver of employment and economic growth. He highlighted the global Spanish observatory based in La Rioja as a key partner in developing strategies to promote Spanish language expansion worldwide. The overarching aim is to help the world think and respond in Spanish more frequently.
The event spanned three days, during which more than seventy Cervantes executives from across the globe reviewed the year, explored academic, cultural, and administrative strategies, and discussed future challenges related to technology, language, and digital transformation. The discussions reflected a shared commitment to advancing the Institute’s mission through stronger network collaboration, innovative program design, and a forward-looking approach to digital tools and AI-enabled solutions. All voices emphasized that the real strength of Cervantes lies in the active participation of centers worldwide, united by a common purpose and a resilient, adaptive organizational culture.