On November 5, 2021, the Session "BRICS Youth Diplomacy: What Does Generation Z Choose?" within the framework of the III International Municipal Forum of the BRICS countries "Challenges to Sustainable Development and International Municipal Cooperation of the BRICS + Countries" was held in online format.
Session was organized by the Project office on international youth cooperation “Russia-BRICS” and Ivshina Tatyana Aleksandrovna, Head of the Project Office of International Youth Cooperation "Russia - BRICS", Executive Director of the Foundation "Ulyanovsk - Cultural Capital" moderated the session. It was attended by representatives of the project office “Russia – BRICS”, the Ulyanovsk - Cultural Capital Foundation, Rosmolodezh, International Youth Edu-Skills Foundation, National Youth Council of Russia, South African BRICS Youth Association, A. M. Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund, Center for Support and Development of Public Initiatives "Creative Diplomacy", Center for Professional Development of St. Petersburg "League of Masters", Regional social organization "BRICS. World of Traditions " and many other organizations.
During the session, topical issues of concern to the youth of the BRICS nations and other countries were discussed like conscious consumption and environmental ecology, how to start a business or launch a start-up, creative economy and creative self-realization, volunteering as a meaningful life position, and others.
Akil Mohammad, Founder and Chairman of the International Youth Education and Skills Development Organization made a presentation on the topic “India is the presiding country of BRICS-2021. Youth Activity in India ". During his presentation he spoke about major events youth concerned events during India’s presidency of the BRICS group, about the work carried out by the BRICS youth during the pandemic, their readiness and practical approach to join hands with government and non-government organizations to erase all boundaries and restrictions and cooperated for further development.
He also presented the project "International Youth Forum BRICS PLUS", which will take place in December this year. The project - International Youth Forum "BRICS PLUS" was created at the international diplomacy forum "InterYes" with the aim of popularizing the group among young people from these countries and neighboring countries for developing inclusive leadership and partnerships in international youth cooperation.
While concluding presentation Akil Mohammad said “On the personal experience I would assure the young BRICSologists are creative, energetic and active. We are moving in the good direction and no obstacle will stop us, we will always find a way out of any difficult situation for the development of the BRICS youth track.”
Session was ended with a video report of the International Online Video Competition "Revival of the Hospitality Traditions of the BRICS Peoples" which held online during pandemic with the participation of students and young people from BRICS nations.
Sekacheva Lyudmila Leonidovna - President of the RPO “BRICS. World of Traditions " said that the award ceremony of the winners of the competition will be held in 2022 during the Festival of BRICS Hospitality Traditions.
Panelists of the session included:
· Ivshina Tatiana Aleksandrovna, Head of the Project Office for International Youth Cooperation "Russia - BRICS", Executive Director of the Foundation "Ulyanovsk - Cultural Capital" - Opening and moderating
· Valeria Chernogorodova, Head of the Department of International Activities of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) - "Youth movement BRICS: history of development and main priorities"
· Diana Kovela, Deputy Director - Head of the International Cooperation Directorate of the Ulyanovsk - Cultural Capital Foundation - "Project Office of International Youth Cooperation" Russia - BRICS ": Priority Areas of Work"
· Petushkov Grigory Valerievich, Chairman of the Association of Public Associations "National Council of Youth and Children's Associations of Russia" - "Actual directions of international cooperation in the field of youth policy of the BRICS space"
· Victoria Georgievna Karsliyeva - Deputy Executive Director of the A.M. Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund - "The role of public diplomacy mechanisms in modern Russian foreign policy"
· Burlinova Natalya Valerievna - President of the Center for Support and Development of Public Initiatives "Creative Diplomacy" - "Public diplomacy of Russia towards BRICS: important, main, promising"
· Akil Mohammad - Founder and Chairman of the International Public Organization "International Foundation for the Improvement of Education and Skills among Youth", President of the Association of Asian Students of RUDN University - “India is the presiding country of BRICS-2021. Youth Activity in India "
· Raymond Matlala - Founder, CEO, Inter African Research Consultancy (South Africa) - "International youth cooperation in the era of Covid-19 - key growth strategies"
· Volkova Olga Vladimirovna - Director of the Center for Professional Development of St. Petersburg "League of Masters" - "International youth cooperation in the era of Covid-19 - key growth strategies"
· Volkova Olga Vladimirovna - Director of the Center for Professional Development of St. Petersburg "League of Masters" - "Youth Project Office: Creative Education for the BRICS Agenda"
· Sekacheva Lyudmila Leonidovna - President of the RPO “BRICS. World of Traditions " - "Public diplomacy as an ambassador of moral values and traditions"