BRICS International School: New Generation Concludes in Nizhny Novgorod
On December 19, the BRICS International School: New Generation was held at the HSE University Campus in Nizhny Novgorod, bringing together 81 participants from 26 countries. Young researchers from the BRICS nations focused on global development, international cooperation, and the role of youth in these processes.
During the opening ceremony, participants were welcomed by Anna Blyakhman, Director of the HSE Campus in Nizhny Novgorod, Valeriia Gorbacheva, Deputy Head at the BRICS Expert Council-Russia and Head of the Multilateral Strategic Projects Office at HSE University, and Anna Shilovskaia, Department Head of the International Office at HSE Campus in Nizhny Novgorod.
In her address, Anna Shilovskaia highlighted the growing importance of regional perspectives within the BRICS agenda. She noted that while international dialogue is often concentrated in Moscow and St. Petersburg, regions are playing an increasingly important role in shaping global discourse. She emphasised that Nizhny Novgorod has strengthened its position in recent years as an international academic and expert hub, regularly hosting major diplomatic and economic events and expanding cooperation with the BRICS countries.
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BRICS should not be viewed solely through the lens of geopolitics or trade. It is a multidimensional space where people, languages, cultures, professional expertise, and values intersect. Understanding BRICS requires genuine curiosity about how different societies think, develop, and work together.
Anna Shilovskaia
Department Head of the International Office at HSE Campus in Nizhny Novgorod
Valeriia Gorbacheva set tone with her opening lecture titled "BRICS and the Multipolar World: History, Structure, Values, and Future Prospects." Participants explored the formation of BRICS, the consensus-based approach to decision-making, the group's expansion, and its role in the emerging multipolar world.
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BRICS is not just a cooperation format but an established international brand. Its strength lies in the equality of its members, mutual respect, and its ability to unite countries with diverse experiences and interests in pursuit of fair and sustainable development.
Valeriia Gorbacheva
Deputy Head at the BRICS Expert Council-Russia and Head of the Multilateral Strategic Projects Office at HSE University
The programme continued with a lecture by Igor Makarov, Head of the School of International Regional Studies at HSE University, on sustainable development beyond 2030. The discussion centred on the limitations of the current global development model and the reasons behind the existing challenges in meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The expert noted that key issues—social and international inequality, environmental risks, and rapid digitalisation—demand not just cosmetic adjustments but a fundamental rethinking of development approaches. In this context, he emphasised the special role of BRICS as a platform for crafting alternative solutions, especially relevant for the Global South nations.
The economic dimension of cooperation within BRICS was the focus of a lecture by Vladimir Zuev, Head of the Department of Trade Policy at the HSE Institute of Trade Policy and Head of the Section for Economic Cooperation, Trade, Infrastructure, and Energy at the BRICS Expert Council-Russia. Participants examined the practical mechanisms of interaction among the BRICS countries in trade, investment, and energy, as well as limitations stemming from the lack of a common trade policy.
The eventful day concluded with an expert discussion on shaping a new global trade architecture, featuring Russian and international experts, including representatives from the Brazilian academic community. The conversation focused on prospects for a more equitable and sustainable economic order and the opportunities and constraints facing BRICS in this process.
The BRICS International School: New Generation in Nizhny Novgorod served as a dynamic platform for international dialogue, where young leaders got a chance to discuss pressing global challenges, engage with leading experts, and connect as part of an emerging community of future professionals in international cooperation.