Ivan Melnikov
Ivan Ivanovich
noted that during the period of its chairmanship in BRICS, Russia planned to promote the development of cooperation in three key areas: politics, economics
and culture. The First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma emphasized that
culture “is an indispensable and mandatory condition for successful economic
and political interaction”.
“Russia’s cooperation with other BRICS states in this area is aimed at enhancing cultural and civilizational diversity in the world, increasing trust between states and nations, and mutual enrichment in culture, science, education, sports and tourism,” stressed Ivan Melnikov.
“Our country has always stood for strengthening the role of countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East in international affairs. In addition, we see that now more and more states seek to strengthen their sovereignty, national and cultural identity. From the point of view of cultural and humanitarian interaction, this is also an expansion of the palette of colors in BRICS,” emphasized the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma.
Ivan Melnikov also outlined the priority tasks of humanitarian cooperation during the period of Russia’s chairmanship in BRICS.
The first task is enhancing cooperation in the field of higher education, including through building capacities of the BRICS Network University. “This also includes the implementation of joint educational programs, including the widespread development of e-learning and distance technologies, increased academic and student exchanges. Of course, we also talk about the deepening cooperation between young scientists and innovators,” stressed Ivan Melnikov.
According to him, it is also necessary to strengthen efforts in the field of technical and vocational education. “We support the initiative to create an alternative ranking system for universities in the BRICS countries, we also welcome the holding of the international BRICS Olympiad, which winners will be able to study for free in master’s programs at any university in the countries of the organization,” emphasized the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma.
The current Russia’s cooperation with the BRICS states in the field of education, science, technology and innovation is very large scale, according to Ivan Melnikov. He noted a strong legal framework, including agreements on direct partnership programs between educational organizations of the member states.
“In addition, every year the Government of the Russian Federation allocates scholarships for students and postgraduate students from the BRICS member states from the budget of the Russian Federation,” added Ivan Melnikov.
The second task, according to the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma, is interaction in the field of physical culture and sports in accordance with the implementation of the memorandum of cooperation between the relevant authorities of the BRICS states signed in 2020.
“It is important to enhance cooperation on issues of sports medicine and anti-doping support, to develop cooperation in the introduction of digital technologies and tools,” emphasized Ivan Melnikov.
The third task, which was outlined by the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma, was the special importance of partnership in the field of tourism, including the signing of a memorandum on cooperation between the BRICS countries and the creation of a relevant working group to increase mutual tourist flows.
“Finally, the fourth task: a significant attention is given to enhancing practical interaction on the implementation of youth policy, development of social partnership, volunteerism, support of cooperation between regions, cities and municipal associations of the BRICS member states,” said Ivan Melnikov.
“The great help and support for all this work would be the formalization of inter-parliamentary cooperation as an institution, including the adoption of a protocol to the Memorandum on the BRICS Parliamentary Forum created for the implementation of inter-parliamentary cooperation on a regular basis. This protocol was signed yesterday,” said the First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma.
The task of parliamentarians of the BRICS member states is to ensure the implementation of the mentioned initiatives at the legislative level and to join efforts for the benefit of the nations of the association, according to Ivan Melnikov.
“In general, it is important to contribute to the development of multifaceted cooperation in the field of culture, including the implementation of the provisions of the action plan for the implementation of the Agreement reached between the governments of the BRICS states on cooperation in the field of culture for 2022–2026,” the deputy said.
According to him, BRICS members welcome new BRICS members and supporters of the association in the field of culture: the Alliance of Libraries, the Alliance of Museums, the Alliance of Children's and Youth Theaters and others. “We thank our partners for participating in the BRICS Film Festival which was held in April as part of the events of the 46th Moscow International Film Festival. This year we resume holding the BRICS Culture Festival. The best national bands and solo performers will show the diversity of music of their countries,” he added.
“We see how humanitarian cooperation fills the world of political decisions and dry economic figures with bright feelings of mutual sympathy, friendship and trust. And our friendship is not aimed against anyone, but it is for the common good,” concluded Ivan Melnikov.
