The Association was established in Madrid in 1984 by the spouses of diplomatic corps. Her Majesty Queen Sofía is the Association’s Honorary President. For the first sixteen years it was called “Asociación de Damas Diplomáticas”. In 2010 the Association’s name was formally changed to International Association of Diplomats in Spain (AIDE).
AIDE welcomes men and women who are diplomats or the spouses of diplomats currently accredited to Spain. Fundraising for Spanish charities is an important aspect of the Association. Moreover, the Association brings its members together for social events and offers activities to help with the transition to life in Spain, and to learn about Spanish history and culture.
Most activities are offered in Spanish or English. Still, with members from over fifty countries, AIDE is truly multi-lingual and multi-cultural. AIDE is run by members and for members, so their talents, skills and friendship are always welcome.
Official photograph of H.M. the Queen
Casa de S.M. el Rey © Dany Virgili
Election of the AIDE Board on November 2023
President
Ms. Poonam Patnaik
Embassy of India
Vice-President
Ms. Juli Sekiguchi
Embassy of Austria
Vice-President
Ms. Rosa Icela Fuentes Chávez
Embassy of Mexico
Vocal
Ms. Tatevik Barseghyan
Embassy of Armenia
Vocal
Ms. Gitte Vejlstrup
Embassy of Switzerland
Treasurer
Ms. Olta Vishko
Embassy of Albania
Secretary
Ms.Hannah Kuruvilla
India
Vice Secretary
Ms.Ardra Sundar
India
2017/2018 Mrs. Mehriban Maharramova, Embassy of Azerbaijan
2016 / 2017 Mrs. Meltem Önhon, Embassy of Turkey
2015 / 2016 Mrs. Dolly Misri, Embassy of India
2013 / 2015 Mrs. Florica Cristina Vîlcu, Embassy of Romania
2011 / 2013 Mrs. Andrea Beranová, Embassy of Czech Republic
2010 / 2011 Mrs. Cristina Mendoça e Moura, Embassy of Portugal
2009 / 2010 Mrs. Karen Lawrence Terraciano, Embassy of Italy
2007 / 2009 Mrs. Adriana Gorchs de Cabello, Embassy of Paraguay
2006 / 2007 Mrs. Liliana Schilling, Embassy of Netherlands
2004 / 2006 Mrs. Sheikha Al-Sabah, Embassy of Kuwait
2002 / 2004 Mrs. Sharifa Nur Nasser Siraj, Embassy of Jordan
2017/2018 Mrs. Mehriban Maharramova, Embassy of Azerbaijan
2016 / 2017 Mrs. Meltem Önhon, Embassy of Turkey
2015 / 2016 Mrs. Dolly Misri, Embassy of India
2013 / 2015 Mrs. Florica Cristina Vîlcu, Embassy of Romania
2011 / 2013 Mrs. Andrea Beranová, Embassy of Czech Republic
2010 / 2011 Mrs. Cristina Mendoça e Moura, Embassy of Portugal
2009 / 2010 Mrs. Karen Lawrence Terraciano, Embassy of Italy
2007 / 2009 Mrs. Adriana Gorchs de Cabello, Embassy of Paraguay
2006 / 2007 Mrs. Liliana Schilling, Embassy of Netherlands
2004 / 2006 Mrs. Sheikha Al-Sabah, Embassy of Kuwait
2002 / 2004 Mrs. Sharifa Nur Nasser Siraj, Embassy of Jordan