Civil BRICS Council Outlines Strategic Directions for Educational Cooperation
Ahead of the BRICS Civil Forum 2026, the BRICS Expert Council-Russia convened a meeting of the international working group of the Civil BRICS Council on Education and Human Capital Development. Held in a roundtable format, the meeting enabled experts to systematically discuss and align approaches to advancing education systems in response to the challenges posed by rapid digitalization, the transformation of labor markets, and the accelerated development of artificial intelligence technologies.
The meeting brought together representatives of the BRICS Civil Council working group, experts in human capital development, as well as leaders and specialists from educational institutions.
Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia and member of the Civil BRICS Council, emphasized the importance of inclusive dialogue under current conditions.
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This pivotal moment in the development of education requires not merely swift decisions, but truly multilateral and inclusive dialogue. The BRICS Expert Council-Russia regards the initiatives of BRICS civil society and expert communities as an invaluable resource and as a vital link between strategy and practical implementation across the member countries. It is through this kind of collaboration that sustainable and scalable approaches to the development of education systems and human capital emerge.
Victoria Panova
Head of the BRICS Expert Council-Russia, Member of the Civil BRICS Council
The central focus of the discussion was the creation of an inclusive educational environment, ensuring equal access to education, expanding academic cooperation through digital tools, developing in-demand competencies, integrating digital solutions, and promoting lifelong learning. In this context, the work of the Civil BRICS Council was recognized as a key mechanism for aligning educational initiatives with the priorities of the Global South while taking regional specificities into account.
According to Olga Rubtsova, Co-Chair of the Civil BRICS Council working group, educational cooperation among BRICS countries represents a long-term investment in interstate relations.
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Building educational ties among BRICS countries and fostering a deeper understanding of the cultures and traditions that shape individuals provide a solid foundation for the future of relations between BRICS nations.
Olga Rubtsova
Co‑Chair of the working group of the Civil BRICS Council
At the same time, respect for the sovereignty and traditions of each country remains the cornerstone of such cooperation. Within BRICS, this means that national education models are not replaced by a single standard but instead serve as the foundation for achieving shared goals in human capital development.
The experts identified several strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening educational cooperation within BRICS:
- Establish a permanent BRICS Commission comprising representatives of all member countries to facilitate systematic practical cooperation, address emerging challenges, and coordinate the integration of AI into education.
- Create a BRICS Public Advisory Council on Academic Leadership to provide methodological guidance and oversight in the development of a BRICS university ranking system.
- Launch a unified BRICS communication platform for sharing information on national education systems, innovations, research findings, educational programs, and academic publications.
- Establish a BRICS Academic Mobility Fund to support reciprocal exchange programs, provide grants for joint research projects, and expand access to educational and scientific resources.
- Conduct regular comparative assessments of school students' competencies across BRICS countries, along with sociological studies on youth profiles within the member states, to build an evidence base for targeted education policies.
- Create a BRICS Skills Network for the Creative Economy as a platform for aligning labor market needs, exchanging best practices, and developing joint educational modules.
The meeting will result in a package of recommendations from the Russian side, which will be incorporated into the final document of the BRICS Civil Forum 2026. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation in implementing the agreed initiatives, scaling successful practices, and strengthening educational ties among BRICS member countries.