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OPEN GOVERNMENT

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is opening its doors for the 2026 Open Gov Week

From 18 to 24 May, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation is opening its doors for a series of guided tours, seminars and lectures to publicize its work and foster dialogue with society.

May 13, 2026

The activities are part of the 2026 Open Gov Week, a global initiative led by the Open Government Partnership that aims to bring governments and citizens together and promote values such as transparency, integrity, participation and accountability. The Spanish Government has been a member of the Partnership since it was established in 2011.


ACTIVITIES OPEN TO THE G​​ENERAL PUBLIC

Open day at the Diplomat​ic School

18 May, 12–2 p.m. | Aula Magna, Diplomatic School, Paseo de Juan XXIII, 5, Madrid

The Diplomatic School will open its doors to the general public. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the intricacies of the diplomatic profession and the entry exams, the Continuing Education Master’s in Diplomacy and International Relations, and the various courses, seminars and lectures the School offers over the course of the year. After a Q&A session, there will be a guided tour of the buildings and gardens. Advance registration required.

Guided tours of Santa Cr​uz Palace

20 May, 9 a.m., 10.30 a.m. and 12 p.m. | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation – Plaza de la Provincia, 1, Madrid

There will be three rounds of guided tours of the Santa Cruz Palace, for up to 30 people each, including an overview of the ceremonies that take place in the Palace and visits to the most iconic rooms, objects and works of art that relate to the Ministry’s history and to its Directorate-General for Protocol, Chancellery and Orders. Advance registration required. Registration closed​

Workshop: “Cooperatio​​n: teamwork”

20 May, 11 a.m. | AECID - Av. de los Reyes Católicos, 4, Madrid

A workshop for the general public will be held at the head office of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) on 20 May, entitled “Cooperation: teamwork”. Places are limited and will be allocated in order of registration.

Guided tour of the AECID Af​​rican collection

21 May, 11 a.m. | AECID - Av. de los Reyes Católicos, 4, Madrid

Alongside the events organized by AECID to celebrate Africa Day, the Agency will also be offering a guided tour of its African collection, giving the public an opportunity to see some of the cultural and artistic items it owns that are linked to the continent of Africa. Places are limited and will be allocated in order of registration.


OTHER ​ACTIVITIES

Student and pupil tours of t​he Ministry offices

18–24 May | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation – – Plaza del Marqués de Salamanca, 8, Madrid

Over the course of the week, university students and pupils from different schools will be given guided tours of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices, with explanations of the work it does. On 19 and 20 May, pupils from the state school Colegio Público Reina Victoria will visit the offices. On 21 May, students from the international relations master’s programme at the Comillas Pontifical University will be given a guided tour.

Meeting with representatives of​​ business sectors linked to international mobility

20 May, 12 p.m. | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation – Plaza del Marqués de Salamanca, 8, Madrid

Members of the Consular Emergency Division of the Directorate-General for Spanish Citizens Abroad and Consular Affairs, which coordinates work to protect and assist Spanish citizens travelling abroad, will meet with representatives of different business sectors relating to tourism. The event will be held in the head office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Tour and talk for pupils of IES Ramiro de​ Maeztu secondary school

20 May, 11.30 a.m.–12.30 p.m. | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation – Plaza del Marqués de Salamanca, 8, Madrid

Pupils from IES Ramiro de Maeztu secondary school will be given a guided tour of the Ministry head office. During their visit, they will be given a presentation on the workings and importance of the European Union.

Employment opportunities in the Europ​​ean Union

21 May, 9–11.30 a.m. | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation – Plaza del Marqués de Salamanca, 8, Madrid

The Ministry’s State Secretariat for the European Union will hold an event to provide information on opportunities to work for the European Union, addressing aspects of working as a civil servant of the Union and the programmes and grants the EU offers.

Lectures to celebrate Africa Day

21 May 4–6 p.m. | AECID - Av. de los Reyes Católicos, 4, Madrid

To celebrate Africa Day, José Fenoll, lecturer from the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), will give a talk entitled “The land of the flying masks still lives” and a presentation on art in Burkina Faso, following by a Q&A session. Irene Seco, from AECID, will then give a talk entitled “The dress of the priest of the sacred tree”, about traditional Ugandan fabrics and how traditional clothes are made in the country. Both lectures will be given in the AECID Auditorium and will be open to the general public.

On the same day, there will be guided tours of the AECID African collection, also open to the general public.


The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the Diplomatic School, the State Secretariat for the European Union, the Consular Emergency Division and the Directorate-General for Protocol, Chancellery and Orders have organized the different events that will be held in the Ministry’s different buildings.


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