<h6><strong>The Diplomat</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The Socialist Parliamentary Group has called for the strengthening and development of the cultural action of the Instituto Cervantes and for the enhancement of its image “as an essential tool of diplomacy and cultural policies, to enhance the external image of Spain and its creators.”</strong></h4> In a non-legislative motion presented on March 21 for debate in the Foreign Affairs Committee, the PSOE points out that, since its creation, the Instituto Cervantes “has been consolidating itself as a decisive institution, and one of the most efficient, as a unifying body for the coordination of cultural action abroad.” The Institute, it continues, “has a recognized track record, including cultural action abroad, but above all, it has emblematic representation to fundamentally contribute to the dissemination of the culture and image of our country.” “There is a general consensus that it is considered the best instrument to contribute to the internationalization of our cultural industries,” it continues. “This is so because it cannot be ignored that the Spanish language and culture are an important international calling card and, as such, must be nurtured and promoted; the Instituto Cervantes is synonymous with this,” he adds. Furthermore, the Instituto Cervantes contributes to “strengthening the Spanish cultural industry, especially in Europe, the United States, and Latin America, with the aim of expanding into other markets such as Africa, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region.” “The presence of the Instituto Cervantes, thanks to its centers and locations around the world, and the leveraging of its strength in teaching and promoting languages and culture, is, without a doubt, an unbeatable opportunity to enhance its functions as a significant tool for Spanish cultural diplomacy,” the PSOE asserts. Therefore, the motion urges the Government to "express its support for the growth and development policies of the Instituto Cervantes' cultural activity as one of the priority areas of the State's foreign cultural action" and to continue supporting this institution "to implement the dissemination of Spanish culture abroad in all its aspects, integrating the co-official languages, especially in the promotion of the various cultural industries." Likewise, it urges the Government to "strengthen the image of the Instituto Cervantes as an essential tool for diplomacy and cultural policies, to enhance the foreign image of Spain and its creators" and to continue "promoting the implementation of joint projects and exchange programs in third countries, with the aim of maximizing the impact of their respective promotional activities."
