Institution
Casa de America is a public consortium, the purpose of which is to strengthen bonds between Spain and the American continent, particularly with Latin America. This relationship is fostered by holding seminars, conferences, round tables, exhibitions, master classes, film screenings, discussions, presentations, workshops and other similar activities. Events can be in any format but they all pursue the same aim: to provide an appropriate environment for talking about American topics and for involving members of governments from both sides of the Atlantic, the media, diplomatic corps, businesses, civil society, institutions and members of the academic, literary and arts community.
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The Consortium was founded in 1990 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Regional Government of Madrid and Madrid City Council. Its headquarters is in the Palacio de Linares.
The institution, which serves as both platform and instrument of Spanish public diplomacy, usually focuses its programme on the most significant events and figures of the day. Over the years it has become known for driving forward and publicising American current affairs, as well as spreading knowledge about the continent’s historic and cultural legacy.
The Casa de América Consortium was founded in 1990, coinciding with events leading up to the 5th Centenary Celebrations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Regional Government of Madrid and Madrid City Council were founding members of the institution.
In July 1992, the Casa de América building hosted the 2nd Latin American Summit. His Majesty King Juan Carlos I and the Heads of State and Government who attended the summit meeting officially inaugurated the institution.
Since then, Casa de América has hosted a series of distinguished figures from the American continent: leaders, politicians, economists, authors, sociologists, artists and so on.