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10102024.Web HISTDr Ponga giving the lecture at the Intramuros branch of the Instituto Cervantes de Manila

Photo Credit : Ms Catalina H Gaite

Xavier Ateneo’s History and International Studies Department was represented during the lecture on the Spanish Language in International Relations, organized by the Instituto Cervantes de Manila, held last 20 August 2024 at the Intramuros branch of the Instituto Cervantes de Manila.

The lecture was given by Dr Rafael Rodriguez-Ponga, a linguist and a former Secretary General of the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation) and of the Instituto Cervantes. Dr Ponga is also a language professor and Rector at the Universitat Abat Oliba CEU in Barcelona, Spain.

Highlighting the importance of the Spanish Language in International Relations, Dr Ponga discussed how Spanish has become an instrument of mutual understanding. With international organizations aiming to find a common point of understanding amidst diversity, identifying languages in advocating relations has been an important priority in promoting intercultural understanding. In the lecture, Dr Ponga explained how Spanish has become a language that favors relations and connections between countries. The lecture also became an opportunity for stakeholders of Spanish Language Education in the Philippines to gather and discuss the current state of Spanish Language Teaching and Learning in the country.

Ms Catalina H Gaite, a Spanish and Italian Languages Professor, represented Xavier Ateneo’s History and International Studies Department.  Also present during the lecture were representatives of the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines and other stakeholders of Spanish Education in the country.