Brics youth policies and programmes reviewed

Officials and youths of delegations from Russia, India, China and South Africa assembled in Bela-Bela, Limpopo from July 15-18 2018 for the fourth Brics Youth Summit to share their experiences of policies and programmes implemented in their respective countries. They discussed the challenges, identified opportunities to address the needs of the youth, and recognised areas of cooperation based on mutual interest.

It was recognised that their partnership is shaped by the interplay between diplomatic, political, security, environmental, economic and regional co-operative dynamics that define early 21st Century international relations. Participants should remain cognisant of global shifts in hard, soft and smart or mental power in the world; the stratification of regional groupings in the world and the agenda of Brics at large. It was recognised that the participants are united in their diversity and focussed on developing common solutions to global challenges.

Five thematic areas were deliberated upon, which included:

secretariat;

Fourth Industrial Revolution;

Brics Business Council and New Development Bank;

mental health;

reform and jobs of the future.

The following key recommendations were made: Youth secretariat

include lobbying the head of states on decisions and resolutions taken by young people;

shall be effective from the time of appointment and lapses after three years; on the profiles of the delegates to ensure that the sovereignty of countries is duly respected;

of its duties research and keep records of summit resolutions and establish standardised processes of participation;

member states to co-fund the establishment of the secretariat; and

the secretariat, the secretariat shall work closely with international relations, ministries responsible for youth, government youth organisations, and the Brics sherpas [sherpas are the personal representatives of heads of state or government].

Fourth industrial revolution

Fourth Industrial Revolution must be developed by each Brics country;

research output and people must have access to this output; this also means that more PhD graduates must be produced by each member state;

must also be reduced to make technology and access to it affordable;

legislation that support the development of the Fourth Industrial Revolution;

integrating ICT in housing infrastructure and social housing developments;

poverty and inequality as they tackle the Fourth Industrial Revolution;

quality education;

industrial development at large;

and systems that will address the Fourth Industrial Revolution in primary and college levels;

50-100 years, as opposed to the current four- to five-year planning cycles.

Brics Business Council and New Development Bank

(Brics Youth Portal) for Brics youth information exchange, which integrates data and media, and update information on youth-related Brics policies and practices on overseas study, scholarship, employment, conference, cultural exchanges, etcetera;

owned enterprises, and education opportunities aimed at eradicating youth unemployment through Brics Bank;

China-Russia Student Business Incubator, establish inter-Brics business incubator programmes;

lower the threshold for young entrepreneurs by establishing a comprehensive support chain of training, service and financing, provide intellectual and material

a social environment that nurtures innovation and entrepreneurship;

for youth, for cultural and educational purposes;

which the Brics Bank trades in to provides us a competitive advantage;

development, which translate to intellectual property;

must roll out awareness campaigns on the mandate of the bank;

Youth Business Forum; and

venture capital fund.

Curriculum reform, access to education and jobs of the future

with outside access centres (schools);

access to quality online education;

when developing housing and residential infrastructure;

similar structures in other Brics countries to merge theory and practical learning;

must be moved from the social development department to the basic education department; between youth in rural and urban areas;

devices to enable youth with disabilities to have access to a normal schooling system;

geared toward responding to jobs of the future;

speaks to the developmental needs of Brics countries;

system across the Brics countries;

inform the jobs of the future; and

exchange programmes across the Brics countries.

Young delegates pose with Minister in the Presidency for the National Planning Commission for Policy and Evaluation Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma at the 4th Brics Youth Summit. Photo: Musa Masilela

Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Buti Manamela delivers a speech at the youth summit. Photo: Supplied