INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FORUM “BRICS PLUS”
The first stage of the Forum on the online platform ZOOM
14-15 DECEMBER 2021, INDIA
https://www.bricsplusforum.org/
PRESS RELEASE
The International Youth Forum " BRICS PLUS" was held in the online format on 14-15 December 2021. Due to some COVID-19 restrictions, it was decided to hold the first part of the forum online and the second part of it will be held offline in 2022.
More than 200 youth leaders, public organizations, scientists, entrepreneurs, and students from 33 countries of the world joined the forum online. Participants of the forum were divided into small groups using the breakout meeting option of the zoom platform where they had a chance to discuss and present their presentations to other participants exploring the possibilities of partnership for the realization of projects and ideas. The main idea of dividing the participants was to get the suggestions from other participants, develop an international project team, and improvisation based on the earlier session held on project development.
On the 15th of December, the most interesting 16 projects in the sphere of international youth cooperation, public diplomacy, business, art, and a culture which was selected by the participants themselves in breakout groups were presented to experts for feedback. The forum was also attended by experts, representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations, ministries, government agencies, think tanks with considerable experience in BRICS research. The thematic focus of the Forum is the development of international youth cooperation between the BRICS countries and friendly states. The International Youth Forum “BRICS PLUS” is aimed at developing inclusive leadership and partnership in international youth cooperation and create a positive image of BRICS among young people from the participating countries to form new ideas for
cooperation within the framework of BRICS Plus.
The Forum was organized by the International Youth Edu-Skills Foundation in association with the Confederation of Young Leaders and the Project Office for International Youth Cooperation “Russia-BRICS” with the support of the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund.
Partners of the forum includes National Committee for BRICS Research (NKI BRICS), South African BRICS Youth Association (SABYA), Regional Public Organization “BRICS. World of Traditions”, International Media Network " TV BRICS" People's Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), "Ulyanovsk – Capital of Culture" Foundation, RIC Media, Janhit Times, Association of Young Researchers and Uzbekistan Volunteer Association.
At the opening session of the forum, participants were addressed with a welcome speech by Mikhail Ktitorov, Counsellor (Culture), Russian Embassy in India, Larisa Efremova, Vice-rector for international affairs, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Valeria Chernogorodova, Head of the Department of International Affairs, the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs of Russia &t; Rosmolodezh".
In his welcome speech Counsellor (Culture), Russian Embassy in India, Mikhail Ktitorov said, “BRICS association is in many ways unique and interstate format of cooperation, an outstanding example of new global network diplomacy. In this context, the dialogue between our citizens plays a special role and it covers a whole range of areas including the youth. Interaction on this track embodies the manifestation of the vitality of the BRICS concept itself, its growing attractiveness for public associations and youth organizations of our countries. It contributes to strengthening the contacts between young people, laying a foundation of friendship and mutual understanding between our peoples. It has become a good tradition to hold the Youth Summit, the Youth energy summit, forums of young diplomats and scientists.”
He mentioned that the initiatives like BRICS School, Youth Camp of BRICS Countries, and various competitions in the BRICS spaces are being organized every year. He also emphasized that most of these initiatives are coming from grassroots levels and not from the decision of governments.
Vice-rector for international affairs, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Larisa Efremova noted in her address “BRICS Network University is a unique and ambitious project, one of the largest initiatives in the world to integrate educational and scientific schools in a wide geopolitical space. BRICS NU promotes intercultural dialogue among students, preservation, development and mutual enrichment of culture, languages, historical and national traditions of the peoples of the BRICS member states.” Head of the Department of International Affairs, " Rosmolodezh&; the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs of Russia which is the main organization to implement youth policies in Russia Valeria Chernogorodova said, “We attach great importance to fostering close cooperation with partners from the BRICS countries. This year a very important project was launched which is called BRICS Youth Camp held in Ulyanovsk region and I hope it will be an annual event in the BRICS sphere gathering young people from other countries which might be
interested in fostering closer cooperation with BRICS in the BRICS++ format. As the agency we are very happy that the platforms such as BRICS Youth Summits and BRICS Youth camp results in the projects led and implemented by young people of BRICS countries and this forum is widely joined by the young people from the whole world and it makes me happy that topics of BRICS are getting interested not only people from BRICS but from youth from all over the world.”
The opening session of the forum was also attended and addressed by Sandra Stoilkovich, Specialist and Project Manager of the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund, Valeriia Gorbacheva, GR-Director, National Committee on BRICS Research, Lyudmila Sekacheva, President of the Regional Public organization “BRICS. World of Traditions”, Dr. Raymond Matlala, Founder and Chairman, South African BRICS Youth Association, Sameep Shastri, Chairman, Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership (IIGL), President, Confederation of Young Leaders (CYL), Vice Chairman, BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRICS CCI) and President, BRICS CCI Young Leaders and Akil Mohammad, Founder and Chairperson, International Youth Edu Skills Foundation, President, Asian Students Association in RUDN University.
The Session was moderated by Diana Kovela, Representative of the Project Office of International Youth Cooperation “Russia – BRICS”, Deputy Director – Head of the International Relations Department, “Ulyanovsk – Capital of Culture” Foundation.
“This is a breakthrough! I am so proud of the members of the Russia-BRICS Project Office for International Youth Cooperation. Back in April, an active leader from India, Akil Mohammad conceived the idea of a forum and turned his idea into a project using project management tools and becoming the winner of a grant competition. This is an excellent illustration of youth diplomacy and the results of working with both young leaders and experienced experts”, said Diana Kovela.
GR-Director, National Committee on BRICS Research, Valeriia Gorbacheva in her address noted “The main goal of the BRICS international youth cooperation are the fulfillment of the creative, educational, and social potential of the young generation, the strengthening of friendship in the format of BRICS Plus, mutual understanding and interaction of peoples of our countries as well as the promotion of the consolidation of the common humanitarian, economic and socio-cultural space based on the experience of the BRICS cooperation, BRICS Plus cooperation in various field of humanitarian activities. BRICS is a striking example of exciting collective principles of international affairs, therefore, first of all, it is the youth of the five countries to face the challenges of building a sustainable future. I am
confident the results of this forum result to enable the exchange of useful experience among BRICS and BRICS Plus youth and strengthen inter-BRICS solidarity.”
President of the Regional Public Organization “BRICS. World of Traditions” Lyudmila Sekacheva started with her greetings to the participants of the forum and congratulations to NKI BRICS on its 10th anniversary, she noted, “This Forum will act as a communicative platform, a master class, where young BRICSologists have the opportunity not only to present their projects but at the same time to find partners in one or another of their areas, which will serve, in fact, to continue multilateral cooperation in the field of BRICS.”
Chairman, Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership (IIGL), President, Confederation of Young Leaders (CYL), Vice Chairman, BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRICS CCI) and President, BRICS CCI Young Leaders, Sameep Shastri stressed, “Inclusive leadership is when young people of all abilities are given the opportunity to become leaders in their schools, communities and their families. These leadership activities help young people gain a voice and train them to become agents of change in their communities, promoting equality and acceptance. As we look to the future, BRICS youth will be responsible for all aspects of civil society and adolescents to develop leadership skills. Society guarantees a bright future, effective initiatives, and well-implemented ideas. There are many dreams and aspirations that, with the right upbringing and support, will turn into
something that can be seen all over the world.”
The first plenary session on “Review on achievements, conflicts, goals, and priorities of the BRICS grouping for the future” was moderated by Raymond Matlala, Founder and Chairman, South African BRICS Youth Association. The session was focused on discussing the important results of cooperation BRICS has achieved in the last 15 years and future development priorities of the group based on the results previously achieved goals promoting new ideas and attracting new partners.
Speakers of the session were leading experts in international relations having vast experience in BRICS cooperation format. Speakers of the session included:
Sydney Muenda, Assistant Director, Department of International Relations and
Cooperation (DIRCO), Republic of South Africa
Valeriia Gorbacheva, GR-Director, National Committee on BRICS Research
Henrique Domingues, Special Representative of International Municipal BRICS
Forum
Tatiana Seliverstova, Expert on International cooperation
Diana Kovela, Representative of the Project Office of International Youth
Cooperation “Russia – BRICS”, Deputy Director – Head of the International
Relations Department, “Ulyanovsk – Capital of Culture” Foundation
Devadathan Nair, Expert on Public relations and media communications,
Representative of The Times of India Group, in Russia
Alexander Sokolov, Deputy Director, Institute for Statistical Studies and
Economics of Knowledge, Higher School of Economics
Elza Shirgazina, Junior Fellow, National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations named after E.M. Primakov of the Russian Academy of
Sciences "(IMEMO RAS) "If we can get our youth to meaningfully participate in critical issues that affect the youth globally, then we can create a network of young diplomats to tackle challenges in making the world a better place." BRICS provide us with the platform to do so meaningfully. BRICS plus saw several youth projects presented to the international community for advice and possible funding opportunity to key role players from across the BRICS countries and beyond. We need to fast-track the establishment of the BRICS youth secretariat which will ensure the implementation and monitoring of the BRICS youth policy and pragmatic recommendations. Lastly, I would like to call on all BRICS countries to implement a free visa regime for all member states.” said Raymond Matlala.
The second Plenary session on “Project development basics, available support, and realization process” was moderated by Kira Ivanova, Coordinator of the Russia – BRICS Project Office of International Youth Cooperation, International Affairs department of the Foundation “Ulyanovsk – Capital of Culture”.
The session was focused on providing case studies on the practical implementation of projects. The knowledge, skills, resources, tools, and techniques required to achieve project objectives and develop international cooperation. Apart from this session also focused on providing information on grants and funding opportunities to realize youth projects and various educational opportunities under the BRICS Network
University.
Speakers of the session included:
Lyubov Savelyeva, Founder and Head of International Friendship Club
“International youth projects development (on intercultural dialogue and public
diplomacy)”
Sandra Stoilkovich, Specialist and Project Manager of the Alexander Gorchakov
Public Diplomacy Fund
“Presentation of the Gorchakov Fund, and she will talk about the possibilities of
obtaining a grant to foreign NGOs and individuals from the Fund, as well as the
possibilities of cooperation with Russian organizations and operation on the
territory of Russia”
Angelina Osipova, Head of the Organizational and Financial support of International Projects and cooperation with Network Universities of RUDN University
“BRICS Network University: Main Results of 2020-2021 and Development
Prospects”
Phetole Seodi, Manager: Public & International Relations, Corporate Investments,
Office of the CEO, National Youth Development Agency South Africa
“Funding opportunities of National Youth Development Agency for South African
Youth Projects”
Ekaterina Tyatyushkina, European Youth Association, Program coordinator “From the presentation of the project to its financing” Saad Uakkas, Moroccan global youth engagement and health activist, international trainer, TEDx speaker, and Diana award holder, the JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons Morocco 2021 “The power of partnership to enhance project development and implementation”
Parv Aggarwal, Business Development Director, XinFin Network, Director of US- Russia Relations, Russian-American Youth Alliance and Founder, Blockchain for Palestine “Pitching startup projects within Eurasian context (with Blockchain examples)”
“The forum was held in one breath. It is very important that representatives of the
BRICS countries are in regular interaction and learn from each other's experience,
for the sake of a better and stable future. Therefore, such platforms for communication are extremely helpful for the active youth. It is gratifying to note that new significant projects are born out of each such event, which is then implemented. It was a very good initiative of Akil Mohammad, which showed the importance of holding such events in the context of deepening the relationship of young experts in the BRICS space and strengthening cooperation between the BRICS member states”, said Kira Ivanova.
The second day of the Forum started with the Plenary session on “Role of public diplomacy in strengthening cooperation at the people-to-people level within the sphere of BRICS plus” which was moderated by Suzzane Chelsea Zerin, Assistant Director, BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
The key focus of the session was discussing the key issues of public diplomacy and its role in building intra-group trust between the BRICS plus countries and introducing the participants to many public organizations working in the field of international youth cooperation. The leading public organization led by youth to empower cooperation in BRICS Plus format and provides various opportunities to youth from different countries.
Speakers of the session included:
Andrey Bem, Head of the Project Office, International Youth Cooperation in the
“Russia – Central Asian” region direction
Timerkhan Shaikhutdinov, Administrator of Project Office for International Youth
Cooperation “Russia — the OIC”
Anita Dkhar, Expert for international cooperation, RPO "BRICS. World of
traditions"
Abhinav Sharma, Co-Founder, International Youth Edu-Skills Foundation
Amanda Harumy, Director of international affairs at ANPG and Students' leader at
the University's Council of USP
Natalia Dashuk, representative of Russia-BRICS Project office of International
Youth Cooperation
The representatives of the public organization called the participants to partner with
their organizations and participate in their projects building a strong youth
community.
“We are already aware how in a digital world like today, post-covid-19, public
diplomacy has a huge role to play in the international arena. With people getting
easy access to technology, the world shifting online, public diplomacy is changing
models as well as its targets.” said Suzzane Chelsea Zerin.
A very important plenary session on the topic of “Entrepreneurship, business, and economic development” was also held on the same day, which was moderated by Reon Van Der Merwe, Director for Stakeholders, South African BRICS Youth Association. The session focused on financing entrepreneurs, innovation environments, social entrepreneurship, and e-entrepreneurship within BRICS, and possibilities of extending economic cooperation within the BRICS Plus format.
The session speakers were:
Pulane Masebe, Department of Small Business Development, South Africa
“Support programs young entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized businesses in
South Africa”
Uros Vukanovic, President, Balkan Russian Economic Forum
" BRICS an emerging of new regional economic union"
Sachidanand Swami, Founder and CEO, Invoxel Technologies
" Business environment in India, support from the government for foreign business"
Alexey Ezhov, Chairman, Leaders of International Cooperation
“Russian-Chinese Business Accelerator program”
Ivan Shchedrov, Junior Research Fellow, IMEMO RAS, National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations named after E.M. Primakov of the Russian Academy of Sciences. " Smart cities on the agenda of socio-economic development of India" Dr. Mohd. Nayyer Rahman, Assistant Professor, Aligarh Muslim University “E-Entrepreneurship in BRICS countries: Understanding the Digital and Hub economy dynamics” Dr. Alexandra Morozkina, Head of the Structural Reforms Division, Economic Expert Group “Support to small and medium-sized businesses in Russia in the era of Covid” " The International Youth Forum BRICS+ is more than just a single event. It's part of a movement among global South youth seeking to stake there in the 21st-century globalized world. The session on Entrepreneurship was particularly relevant; to succeed the BRICS bloc must become, first-and-foremost, a catalyst for innovation and common prosperity for current and future generations. SABYA remains an adamant advocate of this vision." said Reon Van Der Merwe. “Expert Session: Delegate Project Presentations” became the most interesting and motivating session of the forum which was moderated by Anna Popkova, Senior Lecturer, Department of Environmental Safety and Product Quality Management, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University) and Deputy Dean for International Activities, Institute of
Environmental Engineering, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University).
The session was dedicated to participants of the forum to present their projects to
experts for feedback and guidance. Experts of the session included:
Alexander Egorychev, Leading specialist expert, Department of International
Affairs, " Rosmolodezh" the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs of Russia
Natalia Dashuk, Representative of the Russia-BRICS Project office of International
Youth Cooperation Ivan Shchedrov, Junior Research Fellow, IMEMO RAS, National Research
Institute of World Economy and International Relations named after E.M. Primakov of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The most interesting projects were presented in the session which was selected by participants with mutual agreements within group discussions held on the first day of the forum.
The selected projects were presented by:
Anastasia Ilyushina, Polina Kulakova, Andrey Berezhnov – BRICS Project Lab
(Russia)
Manojj Dhinakaran – Inter- Cultural Exchange on Health Aspects (India)
Yauheni Kharuk – BRICS Student Expert and Analytical Community (Belarus)
Cauviya Madhiyazhagan – Kensho Project is a mental health start-up (India)
Muhammad Tahir Bahu – UN Intensive Training for Young Diplomats (Pakistan)
Ekaterina Sennitskaya – School Exchange Internship (Russia)
Aksheyaa Akilan – Health Literacy Youth Summit (India)
Salamat Ismakeeva – Training young village women basic Entrepreneurship
skills and provide with small grants (Kyrgyzstan)
Marina Sappinen, Sofya Lagokha, Tatiana Kuznetsova – Eco-friendly city
(Russia)
Daria Podlesnova – YouthBiz (Russia)
Vrushali Kadam – The Future is GREEN: Climate Crisis, Youth Leadership &
Green Jobs (India)
Phalguni Sundaram Biswal – SSC (South-South Cooperation) in Trade and
Investment (India)
Kiseleva Milena – International centre IDEMY (Russia)
Suhasini Srinivasargvan – Role of Music in achieving SDGs (India)
Rumit Walia – The Future Forward Summit 2022 (India)
Elizaveta Petrovskaia – Annual youth festival at the level of the BRICS countries (Russia)
Experts of the forum gave their recommendations, suggestions and gave important comments for the implementation of these projects. Leading specialist expert, Department of International Affairs, the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs of Russia " Rosmolodezh", Alexander Egorychev added in the end that the International Youth
Forum “BRICS Plus” did a great job in uniting brilliant minds from the whole world and wished that the forum should be organized annually.
“The mission of expert session was to gather young active people from different regions of BRICS and create a discussion platform for the exchange of ideas and get feedback on developed projects. The mission was implemented excellently. The participants’ projects were developed at a high level and devoted to solving extremely actual social and environmental problems and correspond to the main Sustainable Development Goals. Why we pay such focus on youth projects? The link between youth and economic, social, and green growth should be a straightforward one: young people get on in life, and the economy grows with every step they take.” said Anna Popkova.
During the forum President of the Regional Public Organization “BRICS. World of Traditions” Lyudmila Sekacheva came up with an idea the idea of creation of the "Anthem of the BRICS Peoples", which can be performed in five languages during each five-sided public events in the BRICS countries. To implement this initiative,
its the author proposed to hold a multilateral youth competition for the best text and music of the solemn Anthem, taking into account features of song and musical creativity of the peoples of the BRICS countries.
The forum was concluded with the virtual group photo and closing words by
Lyudmila Sekacheva, Kira Ivanova and Akil Mohammad. Participants of the forum
thanked the organizers for hosting the event and bringing them together to make new
connections.
“In my opinion, we concluded the forum with good results and an amazing learning experience. We were able to bring young leaders from more than 30 countries with having
interest in engaging with BRICS. All the participants were very energetic and full of enthusiasm. We tried to give an opportunity to our delegates to discuss their ideas and projects to develop collaborations internationally for the realization of their ideas. We received more than 300 applications for participation in the forum which included 100 applications with projects in the sphere of international cooperation, public diplomacy, business, art, and culture. 16 most interesting projects were presented to experts for feedback. I am sure that in the near future we will see many of these projects being practically implemented. We need self-motivated, initiators and innovators to build a strong
youth community within BRICS+ format for a bright and peaceful future. These kinds of educational forums really help to connect brilliant minds from different countries and hopefully, we would be able to host the event next year in India in the offline format” said Akil Mohammad on the successful completing of the forum.
The second stage of the forum will take place in 2022 in India to work on the practical implementation of the projects presented during the online stage. It is also planned to organize a mini-BRICS walk to symbolize intra-BRICS people-to-people contacts and the foundation of " Garden of Friendship & Peace" will be laid down where delegates from each participating country will plant a tree.
Forum Broadcast Links:
Opening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yhcR2z43TM&t=1976s
Session 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3zQNdHOtZs&t=46s
Session 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyZmxBBUJAw&t=432s
Session 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YlApWsq0U4
Session 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmN73XGza9g