Day 5. VII BRICS International School

On November 17 the first session has focused on case-study of international youth collaboration withing BRICS.

Anna Kurumchina, Associate professor at Ural Federal University, founder and CEO of the ANO Agency for cultural and scientific diplomacy, regional expert of the NGO, member of international union of teachers and artists and the Russian cultural society, expert of the BRICS scientific and cultural Institute, has emphasized the problem of accessibility for people with disabilities to cultural objects (museums, theaters, exhibitions) in BRICS countries and has argued the need on joint efforts to raise the accessibility.  

Roman Chukov, Chairman of the board, Center for international promotion, Assistant director for youth policy, ROSCONGRESS foundation, has described ROSCONGRESS activities and has highlighted the youth programs and formats which might be interesting for participants. The speaker has encouraged to apply, especially, for Youth festival in Sirius, Sochi in March, and for the youth section of the St. Peterburg international economic forum. He has also described some the UN youth projects and has provided details on how to join.

Alina Shcherbakova, Associate professor at the Department of World economy, Faculty of world economy and world politics, Academic supervisor of the educational program "World economy" at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, has paid particular attention to BRICS Network University, focusing on economics group of it. The Network itself unites 12 universities from BRICS countries. It gives an opportunity for students to participate in international events, summer and winter schools and present results of their research. The Network opens an opportunity for academic exchange and for inviting professors from one BRICS country to another.

Gert Kruger, Professor, Faculty Member, University of Kwazulu-Natal (South Africa), has shared results of his research on COVID-19 in BRICS countries and health security. According to the expert, interest of a patient, not of a pharmacy should be at the first place – this is an ethical approach. The speaker believes, that during the COVID-19 pandemic this rule was breaking from time to time. Lockdowns had both positive and negative sides. Among negative sides  -  business slow down, mental problems  raise, as well as the higher rate of suicides. Management during future pandemics should be revisited. “If BRICS grows, it can make a difference” on the issue, has argued the expert.

Alexander Novikov, Leading specialist, Gorchakov foundation, has chaired the session.

 

The next session highlighted the best international youth cooperation practices.

Maria Golub, Leading specialist-expert, Division of preparation and relations of special foreign projects, international department of the ANO directorate of the World Festival has advertised International youth festival in Sirius, Sochi March 2024. 10000 Russian young leaders and 10000 foreign young leaders are going to take part. The speaker has explained the application procedure and has invited the participants to take part in the upcoming event. The Festival includes a regional program, it gives a chance for participants to visit and explore some other Russian regions. “All Russia is engaged”, has commented the speaker.

Valeria Chernogorodova, Head of the international activities division of the youth projects and programs department of the Federal agency for youth affairs (ROSMOLODEZH) talked about the programs of the Federal agency and attempts to involve young generations in various projects, for example, in youth section of the St. Peterburg Economic Forum, and of Eastern Economic Forum.

As specifically for BRICS, the Federal agency organizes BRICS Youth Summit, first time it was held in Russia in 2015, and has become a good tradition. The event takes place each year in a particular BRICS country.  This year on the BRICS summit South Africa has proposed to establish the BRICS Youth Council to make the youth cooperation in BRICS more regular and coherent. The first meeting of the Council will take place in Johannesburg 7-9 December, 2023.  In Russia the youth dimension is developing not only during the years of chairmanship, but constantly. As an example, Russia-BRICS project office for international youth cooperation operates on constant basis, it organizes international BRICS camps, forums on public diplomacy “InterYes” and other activities.

Vadim Kuznetsov, Director of Sustainability and Climate Initiatives at The BRICS Youth Energy Agency, has highlighted what youth energy cooperation looks like and what project the organization envisions for the year of Russian chairmanship 2024. Beside that he has mentioned that the agency produces BRICS youth energy reports and outlooks each year.  And engages with the UN and different UN formats on the issues of energy, sustainable development, climate change.  This year, 2023, the youth energy summit took place in Johannesburg.  The next year, 2024, it will take part in Russia.

Overall, the two sessions provided participants with information on the formats of international youth cooperation, on events planned by various Russian organizations and agencies, and on opportunities for participation.

On the final session of BRICS International School participants have presented their research projects, food for thought materials and final conclusions. The various topics and have been raised in the students’ projects and different approaches suggested: BRICS health coverage; BRICS International Barometer; BRICS Youth Travel Portal;  establishing  BRICS Youth agency for nuclear; creating of BRICS base of young entrepreneurs; research on attracting BRICS countries students to Russian universities;  creating BRICS e-learning platform; BRICS course as a discipline to study at university; series of books on BRICS and BRICS countries for children to foster cross-cultural communication; intensifying  academic technical cooperation within BRICS+; technological integration between BRICS countries for investment and development in the use of nuclear energy; navigating the challenges and opportunities of financing BRICS energy programs; BRICS youth space force; trade relations among BRICS countries; cooperation on social platforms withing BRICS countries; prospects for BRICS expansion; potential of BRICS development Bank for project implantation on African continent; BRICS media; BRICS language partnership.

During the session the final testing took place. The participants demonstrated good knowledge on various aspects of BRICS development discussed during the previous sessions, lectures, keynotes.

The event concluded with closing remarks from the organizers and feed-backs from the participants. The students were awarded certificates of participations in the VII BRICS International School.

Press service
National Committee on BRICS Research