Between October 5 and 10, 2020, Moscow hosted the 4th BRICS International School as part of Russia’s BRICS Chairship
2025-06-02 10:00
This year's edition introduced an innovation, merging the School with a Young Scientists Competition to spotlight the most promising initiatives for practical youth cooperation within the group.
Eighty young leaders participated in the BRICS School, including scientists, undergraduate and graduate students, aspiring diplomats, entrepreneurs, journalists, and social activists from Russia, Brazil, India, China, South Africa, and beyond, all aged 18 to 35. Notably, graduates from previous years were also invited, creating a community of young leaders who actively contribute to shaping the youth agenda within BRICS.
Each year, the project's reach expands, drawing participants from beyond just the capital regions. For instance, in 2020, Russian participants hailed from cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tver, Belgorod, Chelyabinsk, Tyumen, Vologda, Izhevsk, Krasnoyarsk, and Vladivostok.
This year, BRICS School participants enjoyed a unique opportunity to engage with a specially curated series of lectures delivered by leading Russian and international experts on BRICS-related topics. They participated in discussions and workshops, joined training sessions to broaden their professional horizons, honed their communication skills, and delved into the intricacies of interaction among the BRICS nations. They explored each country's stance on the global stage, the future prospects for institutionalising the BRICS format, and the group's goals and objectives moving forward.
The lecturers and mentors at the BRICS School included prominent experts from Russia and abroad, representing state and non-governmental organisations, specialised ministries and departments, business communities, research institutes, and universities with extensive experience in BRICS matters.
The event was inaugurated on October 5 by Victoria Panova, Scientific Supervisor of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia and Provost for International Relations at the Far Eastern Federal University.
As has become a good tradition, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and Russia's BRICS Sherpa Sergey Ryabkov participated in the BRICS International School. In his address to the young BRICSologists, Ryabkov outlined Russia's vision for fostering a multidisciplinary strategic partnership within BRICS, focusing on three key areas of cooperation: politics and security, economy and finance, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. He also discussed the anticipated outcomes of Russia's 2020 Chairship in BRICS.
Another cherished tradition of the BRICS School is the lecture delivered by Vyacheslav Nikonov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Education and Science. This time, he discussed the current state of international relations and shared practical leadership wisdom with participants.
The BRICS School programme is structured into thematic modules, developed in collaboration with various partners, including the Russian International Affairs Council, the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Far Eastern Federal University, the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund, SKOLKOVO Moscow School of Management, as well as international partners like the Institute of Applied Economic Research (Brazil), Observer Research Foundation (India), China Council for the BRICS Think Tank Cooperation (China), and South African BRICS Think Tank (South Africa).
During the educational webinar titled "Basics of BRICSology," organised with support from the Russian International Affairs Council, leading Russian experts enlightened BRICS School participants about the history and current trends shaping BRICS, the national priorities of its member nations, and the evolving relationships among them.
The module titled "Best Business Practices in BRICS Countries" and the business case "How to Build a Successful Startup" were developed in collaboration with the Agency for Strategic Initiatives. Entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners shared their experiences, aiming to inspire participants to cultivate youth entrepreneurship across the BRICS nations.
A special module focused on education in BRICS countries and professions of the future was organised in partnership with the Far Eastern Federal University. Lecturers provided insights into the essential competencies that young researchers need to possess.
Among the most anticipated sessions was the expert discussion featuring representatives from leading BRICS youth organisations. Participants explored personal growth opportunities and received invitations to participate in major international youth events.
The digitalisation webinar, conducted jointly with SKOLKOVO Moscow School of Management, provided insights into the use of artificial intelligence across various sectors. The experts addressed challenges facing the international community and discussed potential consequences and prospects for AI integration into daily life, using Russia as a case study. Additionally, they highlighted the competencies future specialists in international relations should cultivate if they choose to pursue this path.
The BRICS School also featured workshops on media engagement, grant project implementation, and negotiation skills. A special expert discussion titled "Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in the BRICS Countries" was held, along with a lecture commemorating the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. Participants were given a unique opportunity to receive valuable guidance from BRICS School mentors on developing projects and research initiatives.
Upon completing the programme, participants were awarded personalised certificates of completion from the BRICS School, along with valuable tools for personal growth, ongoing mentorship opportunities, and practical support to bring their projects and ideas to life.