About us

Approaching Knowledge on Asia Pacific

We are the main body for public diplomacy in Spain on Asia-Pacific.
A window open to this region in all its diversity.
Meeting point for all those actors interested in this area.

The Asia-Pacific region is the planet’s new center of gravity. Not only does it lead the changes that are taking place in the 21st century, but it also points out the challenges that our societies will have to address in all areas of knowledge: economy, art and culture, society, education, technology, innovation or science. Asia-Pacific is closer than ever.

In today’s digital and interconnected society, our mission is to promote knowledge and relationships with this defining area of the world. We collaborate in the design of open, innovative and sustainable societies, thanks to the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation, the Generalitat of Catalonia and the City Councils of Barcelona and Madrid, the driving administrations of our Consortium.

Mission

We facilitate the exchange of cultures and projects of common interest between Spain and the countries of Asia-Pacific to achieve better knowledge and mutual understanding.

We train institutions, companies and entrepreneurs in their positioning strategies in Asia.

We strengthen ties with ASEF (Asia-Europe Foundation) and a greater knowledge in Spain of the ASEM process (Asia-Europe Meetings).

We promote Barcelona and Madrid as meeting places between Europe, Asia and the Pacific, facilitating institutional, business, cultural and social rapprochement between their countries.

We promote intercultural debate and the Sustainable Development goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda to achieve a better future for everyone.

We serve as a forum for the diplomatic representations of Asia-Pacific in the dissemination of their interests and realities.

We educate the school and youth population in Asian languages and disciplines, and in the promotion of values such as cooperation, solidarity and non-discrimination.

We provide information of interest and the opinion of experts to understand the keys to current events in the region.

We disseminate programs aimed at the media and the population using new information technologies.

We collaborate with the Asian communities residing in our country to learn about their concerns and projects.

What do we do?

Conferences, Webinars and Seminars

In our Agenda you can consult all the activities about Asia that we periodically program.

Distance training, face-to-face and in-house courses

We offer a specific training offer in Asian disciplines and languages, both online and in person in Barcelona and Madrid.

Film Festivals, Cultural Events and Concerts

Every year we organise the Asian Film Festival Barcelona (AFFBCN), and we also take part in the main celebrations of people of Asian origin who live in Spain.

Public Diplomacy

We periodically organise high-level forums with Asian countries to promote bilateral relations and strengthen ties.

Intercultural Programs

We have created intercultural programs to promote diversity in our country, such as the Barcelona Coral Asia or Teatro Fórum.

We lead projects with institutions and companies

Since 2015 we have taken part in different European programs, in addition to advising companies and institutions with interests in Asia, through reports and sectoral meetings.

Since 2001 we have advised on the implementation of positioning strategies in Asia, we have taken part in EU programs towards Asia, and we have spread the diversity of its culture through exhibitions, book presentations, festivals and film series. Casa Asia also educates in Asian languages and disciplines for school students, paying special attention to the promotion of values such as cooperation, solidarity and non-discrimination.

We also analyse current events of this continent, we set up joint activities with the Asian communities residing in our country, we collaborate with initiatives that promote interculturality and the Sustainable Development goals of the 2030 Agenda, and we get involved in bilateral forums with Asian countries. In all these years, Casa Asia has become a benchmark and meeting point in our country of one of the most dynamic regions in the world: Asia-Pacific. Casa Asia is based in Barcelona and has a Centre in Madrid.

Headquarters in the Technological District of Barcelona

Since November 2018, Casa Asia has moved to the building of the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) in Barcelona, in the heart of the 22@ district, a benchmark in the urban transformation process of Barcelona and a strategic technological, academic, cultural and innovation hub in the city.

Previously, Casa Asia had its first headquarters in Palau del Baró de Quadras (2003-2013), and later moved to one of the pavilions of the Sant Pau Modernist Site, (2013-2018).

The Casa Asia Centre in Madrid is in Palacio de Cañete, located in the historic centre of the city.

2030 Agenda

At Casa Asia we maintain a constant commitment to the 2030 Agenda approved by the UN and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). We firmly believe in the need to direct our activity towards compliance with the SDGs, which range from the elimination of poverty to the fight against climate change, education, women’s equality, the defence of the environment or the design of our cities.

Areas

ECONOMY AND BUSINESS

Its purpose is to promote relations with Asian countries in the field of economic diplomacy. It is a meeting point between Asian countries and economic agents, companies, entrepreneurs and research centres from Europe, Spain, Catalonia, Barcelona and Madrid. In recent years, it has worked advising cities, Autonomous Communities and other entities, offering the know-how that Casa Asia has.

POLITICS AND SOCIETY

It promotes knowledge of the sociopolitical, cultural and geostrategic realities of Asia-Pacific and follows current sociopolitical and cultural issues, as well as the commemorations that mark the international agenda. To promote networking with other institutions in Ibero-America, Europe and Asia and disseminate the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.

EDUCATION

It contributes to the development of content on Asia-Pacific regarding teaching and promotes university studies on Asia-Pacific in Spanish universities, and their internationalization in Asia. It promotes knowledge, skills and linguistic, cultural and socio-occupational skills on Asia-Pacific among Spanish civil society and helps mobility among experts and increases academic exchanges.

CULTURE AND EXHIBITIONS

It encourages making Asian cultures known in the visual arts, film, plastic arts, architecture and literature. For this reason, it programs exhibition projects, film series, courses, seminars and meetings or round tables, as well as publications. It redefines intercultural dialogue, generating meeting points between different actors from Asia, Europe and the United States, in the field of culture and its cultural industries.

DIVERSITY AND INTERCULTURALITY

It promotes mutual understanding, dialogue, exchange, and collaboration with Asian groups and people of Asian origin, as well as their visibility and participation in public spaces and in civil society, paying special attention to the participation of women and young people. It favours networking with public and private entities, associations and professionals.

COMMUNICATION

To communicate Casa Asia’s programs through its digital platforms (website, newsletters and social networks) and in the media. It positions the institution before society as a reference institution on Asia-Pacific and projects it as a tool at the service of Spanish public diplomacy. It disseminates current content on Asia-Pacific and implements internal digitization processes and ICT strategies.