Access is restricted to professionals involved with international and EU organisations.

The 4th edition of the "Action in International and European Organisations" course, jointly organised by Catalonia International and the Barcelona Institute of International Studies (IBEI) in collaboration with the Ministry for European Union and Foreign Action and the School of Public Administration of Catalonia, began today.

This year's course was opened by Lorena Elvira Ayuso, Secretary-General of the Catalan Ministry for EU and Foreign Action; Laura Chaqués Bonafont, Director of IBEI; and Laura Foraster i Lloret, Director-General of Catalonia International. The course consists of 7 sessions, which will run until the end of November.

The Secretary General of Catalonia International, who led the event, explained that the course forms part of Catalonia International's work to promote education and training in the international sphere for Catalan citizens and the consortium's member organisations. This includes specific initiatives such as organising tailored courses like this one, aimed at enhancing their capacity to act as agents for Catalonia abroad.

Foraster then passed the floor to Lorena Elvira, who highlighted that the course is a fundamental tool to strengthen public talent in international relations and promote the ability to generate links and create networks. She also pointed out that the course can be a first step that opens up a new professional path for participants within the Ministry's clear commitment to creating a body of civil servants specializing in international relations.

Finally, on behalf of IBEI, Laura Chaqués reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to these types of "further professionalisation" courses, in addition to the master's degrees they already offer, with a view to contributing to the continuous and practical training of professionals who are already "experts" in the field.

The "Action in International and European Organisations" course is not open to the public and has restricted access. This year, it has 45 participants, primarily working for Catalonia's public administrations and the member entities of Catalonia International. The course is specifically designed to train professionals who need to interact or maintain relations with international bodies in order to represent and defend the interests of their own entities competently, effectively and flexibly.

The sessions on the functioning of international organisations, the instruments of cooperation and decision-making, channels of communication, mechanisms of influence and means of participation and dialogue are taught by university lecturers specialising in international relations and the European Union and professionals working in institutions in the field. 

The course focuses on practical aspects, looking at examples of best practice to improve the trainees' understanding of how international organisations behave and operate. The aim is to encourage interaction with them and reinforce the skills required to negotiate and interact with them fluently by improving their knowledge so that they understand how to approach them and how best to influence and get the most out of them.