BRICS International School: New Generation 2025 Сoncluded in Moscow
From October 28 to November 1, 2025, Moscow played host to the BRICS International School: New Generation, a flagship educational project of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia designed to build a community of future leaders of the BRICS nations. The initiative was implemented with the support of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, HSE University, MGIMO University, and the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund under Priority 2030, a federal programme aimed at promoting academic leadership.
In 2025, the School gathered over 100 participants from 38 BRICS and Global South nations, including young researchers, diplomats, entrepreneurs, journalists, and civil society representatives. Over five days, they discussed key issues in global politics, economy, communications, and sustainable development, exchanging views and engaging with leading Russian and international experts.
As had become a good tradition, the programme opened with a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, featuring Sergey Ryabkov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Russia's BRICS Sherpa. In his address, the diplomat noted that BRICS had evolved from an informal club of like-minded nations into a centre of global partnership, uniting nearly half the world's population. He emphasised that BRICS is founded on principles of equality and mutual respect, reflecting the Global South's aspiration for a just and sustainable international order.
The opening ceremony was held at HSE University. Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia and Vice Rector at HSE University, welcomed the participants, observing that the project brings together young professionals committed to addressing global challenges through dialogue and cooperation.
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The School was created as a platform to train a new generation of leaders—individuals prepared to build bridges between nations and find balanced solutions amid global transformations. Your generation has a challenging but inspiring task ahead: to help make the world more sustainable, fair, and humane. The answers aren't always easy to find, and that's exactly why we need people who think differently—people who can listen, connect, and inspire others. Openness, creativity, mutual respect, and honest dialogue—these are the values we stand for here at the BRICS International School.
Victoria Panova
Head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia and Vice Rector at HSE University
The invited guest of honour was Vyacheslav Nikonov, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Federal Assembly, who described BRICS as "an example of a new model of international relations based on equality and mutual understanding."
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BRICS is about the future because its principles are the principles of how humankind should evolve. They stand in direct opposition to the principles of confrontation and dominance that permeated global affairs for so long. The world is much larger than the West, and the very idea of BRICS essentially reorients our perspective, allowing us to see the world through the eyes of the majority.
Vyacheslav Nikonov
First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Federal Assembly
The comprehensive educational programme featured lectures, master classes, interviews, and discussions with leading experts. Speakers included Fyodor Lukyanov, Chairman of the Presidium at the Council for Foreign and Defence Policy, Professor of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs at HSE University, and Editor-in-Chief at Russia in Global Affairs; Dmitri Trenin, Director of the Institute for Global Military Economics and Strategy and Research Professor of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs at HSE University; Dmitry Suslov, Deputy Director of the Centre for Comprehensive European and International Studies at HSE University; and Oleg Dmitriev, Deputy Director of the Institute of Media under the Faculty of Creative Industries at HSE University.
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The main element we need to understand in order to correctly assess the international situation is that there is a paradoxical combination of growing political, cultural, and social fragmentation, and a rejection of the universalist ideas from the previous period, from the period of globalisation. This leads us to expect that the world might fall apart as a single entity—that it will split into different elements, disconnected from one another. But that doesn't happen. Instead, the world's economic interconnectedness remains and is becoming even stronger than it used to be even in times of globalisation.
Fyodor Lukyanov
Chairman of the Presidium at the Council for Foreign and Defence Policy, Professor of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs at HSE University, and Editor-in-Chief at Russia in Global Affairs
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The old world order is no more. The order that was established after the end of the Cold War and was characterised by what people call “unipolarity,” this is history. The new order is yet to be built. This is not something unusual for the international system. World orders have always existed, but—and here's a very important but—they always change, with one small exception, they always change.
Dmitry Trenin
Director of the Institute for Global Military Economics and Strategy and Research Professor of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs at HSE University
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BRICS has become really attractive for several reasons. First, because of its concrete achievements. It started as a group of the four largest developing economies, and now its agenda covers almost everything—from finance to youth policy and sports. Second, BRICS is attractive because it embodies the kind of relations between countries—and the model of multipolarity—that an overwhelming majority of nations support.
Dmitry Suslov
Deputy Director of the Centre for Comprehensive European and International Studies at HSE University
The experts explored the evolution of international relations, Russia's strategic interests in the emerging world order, the nature of the contemporary media environment, and its impact on the perception of global processes. Particular focus was placed on regional dynamics, especially the growing role of Latin America and Africa in today's multipolar world. Sérgio Rodrigues dos Santos, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federative Republic of Brazil, outlined the priorities of Brazil's current BRICS Chairship, highlighting expanded cooperation in healthcare, artificial intelligence, climate finance, and greater civil society involvement in the group's work.
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BRICS is more than just an interstate association—it is a network that brings nations and societies together. I have dedicated my career to bringing Russia and Brazil closer and strengthening ties between our nations. I hope the School participants will deepen their understanding of Russia-Brazil relations and contribute to their development.
Sérgio Rodrigues dos Santos
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federative Republic of Brazil
The School programme also featured a panel discussion at MGIMO University dedicated to the financial aspects of multipolarity and prospects for economic cooperation within BRICS. Young leaders examined the challenges facing the global economy and explored new frameworks for collaboration free from hegemonies and monopolies.
The School’s final two days were devoted to practical training. The HSE Corporate Academy conducted a series of interactive workshops where participants honed their skills in project management, communication, and teamwork. Special focus was placed on using artificial intelligence to streamline workflows and enhance the effectiveness of joint efforts. The sessions were led by Sergei Titov, Associate Professor of the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at HSE University; Alexander Bocharov, Chief Analyst at the HSE Corporate Academy; and Irina Belenkaya, Deputy Head of the Centre for Career Management and Development of Corporate Culture at HSE University. The learning segment concluded with a brainstorming session titled "The Future of BRICS Research," moderated by Valeriia Gorbacheva, Deputy Head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia. Participants presented ideas for joint projects and initiatives aimed at deepening academic and humanitarian cooperation across the group.
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Look around. The future leaders of the BRICS nations—researchers and diplomats—are gathered here. This is the group's greatest resource: people who are willing to listen, understand, and work together to make this world a better place. That is the purpose of our School—to turn ideas into real-life, meaningful collaboration.
Valeriia Gorbacheva
Deputy Head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia
On October 31, the BRICS International School: New Generation held its closing ceremony. Future leaders received certificates to confirm their completion of the programme, and a gala dinner marked a symbolic conclusion of the intensive week. On November 1, participants joined a guided tour of Moscow, exploring the city’s historic landmarks and contemporary highlights.