Author: iamshivambpatel

On September 26, 2024, Cape Town hosted the BRICS Universe exhibition at the Iziko Planetarium, a captivating blend of culture, science, and international collaboration. The exhibition, organized by the Russia-BRICS Project Office for International Youth Cooperation and Roscosmos, brought together breathtaking photographs of BRICS nations as seen from space, captured by Russian cosmonauts and photographers.

The event opened with a welcome by Hylton Arnolds, Director of Education at Iziko Museums, who emphasized the museum’s role in fostering education and cultural exchange. His words set the tone for an afternoon dedicated to bridging the worlds of science, art, and international cooperation.

Alexei Malenko, Consul General of Russia in Cape Town, highlighted the strong bonds between BRICS countries, particularly in space science. He praised the enduring relationships between BRICS nations, especially in the field of space exploration, and emphasized that the exhibition was not just about viewing stunning images of Earth but about appreciating the scientific advancements and diplomatic ties that make such feats possible. “Space exploration transcends borders,” he remarked, “uniting us in the pursuit of knowledge and peace.”

The highlight of the afternoon was the appearance of Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, a Russian cosmonaut who had personally contributed to the photographs on display. Speaking with a mix of humility and awe, Sergey described the experience of looking down at Earth from space, capturing images of cities, rivers, and landscapes that he hoped would remind everyone of the shared beauty and fragility of our planet. He joked about the challenges of weightlessness and the meticulous work it takes to live and thrive on the ISS, drawing laughter from the audience.

However, it wasn’t just about the marvels of technology and science. Sergey’s reflections touched on the resilience of humanity itself—a recurring theme throughout the day. “From space, Earth looks peaceful,” he mused, “but the real beauty lies in how we collaborate despite our differences.” His words struck a deep chord, especially given the political and economic tensions of our times. The cosmonaut reminded all present that, despite conflicts on Earth, the pursuit of knowledge and peace in space continues undeterred.

At its core, the BRICS Universe exhibition stood as a symbol of what can be achieved when nations come together for a common cause. The photos displayed at the exhibition were more than just images—they were cultural bridges. They told stories of the BRICS nations from space, but they also brought people from different walks of life together under one roof. Attendees marveled at the vibrant images of Rio de Janeiro, the sprawling landscapes of Russia, the bustling cities of India and China, and the iconic sights of South Africa. Each image felt like an invitation to explore the world anew, reminding everyone of the beauty and potential within every nation.

In the end, the BRICS Universe exhibition wasn’t just about the past and present. It was about the future—the future of science, the future of collaboration, and the future of humanity. With space as the final frontier, the sky is no longer the limit; it’s just the beginning.

BRICS+ YOUTH INNOVATION SUMMIT 2024

Saudi Arabia is still considering an invitation to become a member of the BRICS bloc of countries after being asked to join by the group last year, a Saudi official source told Reuters.

The source commented after South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said on Wednesday the kingdom had joined the grouping.

SABYA aims to enhance understanding and cooperation among young people from South Africa, Global South and other BRICS countries through various initiatives, including conferences, seminars, workshops, and cultural exchanges. The organization strives to create a platform where young people can network, share ideas, and work together on projects that contribute to the development and prosperity of their respective nations. SABYA plays a significant role in advocating for youth empowerment, education, entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development.

It seeks to empower young people to actively participate in decision-making processes that shape policies and programs within the BRICS framework.By fostering collaboration and dialogue, SABYA seeks to leverage the collective potential of BRICS youth to address global challenges and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In line with the purpose to strengthen linkages, institutional cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges within the BRICS and multilateral platforms, the 2024 Summit provided a platform to elevate youth entrepreneurs on the opportunities presented by the BRICS and other multilateral platforms, as well as to provide a platform for investors and businesses to pave the way for partnership with young innovators, and thus invest in their promising innovations.

Amongst the honorary guests who were present was the Minister of Youth, Gender, and Social Development of The Kingdom of Lesotho, H.E. Pitso Lesaoana, who gave a keynote address and encouraged the youth to harness their skills in becoming agents of change, by stating that they “be the architects of the future where innovation and entrepreneurship are not just ideals but the very engines that drive progress.”.

Furthermore, he encouraged a collective effort amongst the youth by encouraging that “this summit be a beacon of inspiration and a testament to what we can achieve when we unite in purpose and action. Let us ask questions where we need to, let us share where we need to share to create a conflict free and economically ripe planet”.

Participating members of this year’s Summit included over 100 delegates from BRICS+ and Global South countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Lesotho, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Not only did the Summit support and empower youth innovators and entrepreneurs, it also promoted peer-to-peer networks, knowledge sharing, cultural exchange, global visibility, and skills development.

The two day Summit provided youth delegates the opportunity to immerse in meaningful interactions with distinguished industry leaders as they embarked on fundamental themes and discussions towards unlocking youth potential. The Executive Chairperson of the South African BRICS Association (SABYA), Mr. Raymond Matlala, stressed the significance of SABYA and the Summit when he proclaimed that the summit aims to “create a space to allow young innovators and young entrepreneurs to showcase their projects and innovations”, and advised the youth to use this opportunity to network with other innovators, later characterizing the Summit as a “learning and networking space”.

Over the two day Summit, youth innovators and entrepreneurs who are undertaking projects that reflect prosocial impact in the real world, presented their work before industry experts and adjudicators under the following thematic topics:

It was announced that winners of the Youth Innovation Summit who presented their work, have the opportunity to present their projects at the Saint Petersburg International Forum (SPIEF). The Summit achieved its objective of serving as a meeting point between promising youth entrepreneurs and business leaders, investors, partners, and experts from across BRICS and the Global South.

In the spirit of unified action towards changing the narrative and amplifying the voices of youth and their needs, CEO of The Innovation Hub, Mr. Bangani Mpangase, informed the audience of the strides undertaken by the organization to achieve youth empowerment by stating that “as the Innovation Hub, this year we will be intensifying our activities to empower our youth through assisting youth innovators to navigate the valley of death in bringing their innovations to market”. Furthermore, he enlightens how the organization will “deliberately be using young innovators to address challenges in government and industries through the open innovation solutions platform.”

CEO of W&RSETA, Mr. Tom Mkhwanazi, echoed equal sentiments on the importance of upskilling youth for their development, stating that “sometimes we give young people knowledge without skills, and that is where we play a role as W&RSETA, ensuring that young people get the skills they require”.

In light of the purpose of the Summit and harnessing innovation, an alternative perspective of the meaning of BRICS+ shared by the renowned Message Architect and Program Director of the Summit, Ms. Thami Nkadimeng, challenged delegates to be “BRICS”, in essence to “Be Real In Changing Societies”. We are reminded of the words of encouragement by H.E. Pitso Lesaoana who proposes that we “advocate for policies that foster entrepreneurship ensuring the red tape does not suppress innovation. Let us forge partnerships across borders”.

The Summit was closed off with a keynote address by UNDP Resident Representative in the Kingdom of Lesotho, Dr. Jacqueline Olweya, followed by a prize giving ceremony awarding all participants with certificates, as well as an awards ceremony for youth entrepreneur winners. The 2024 BRICS+ Youth Innovation Summit positioned youth at the forefront of empowerment in advancing sustainability towards a progressive future.

Therefore, the Summit underscored the significance of the South African BRICS Youth Association (SABYA) and its consistent strides towards Empowering Youth Beyond Boundaries.