From youth opportunity and technological transformation to innovation, connectivity and policy: South Africa’s contribution to the BRICS Academic Forum unfolded across three days ofdialogue in Lucknow, India. The 18th BRICS Academic Forum, held in Lucknow, India, from 23 to 25 August 2026, brought together academics, researchers, policymakers and think-tank representatives under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” A key highlight of ...

The Africa Dialogue Series serves as a dynamic platform for critical engagement on the intersections of geopolitics, climate change, and Africa’s evolving role within the global South. Bringing together leading scholars and practitioners, the series fosters meaningful dialogue, interdisciplinary exchange, and forward-looking perspectives that contribute to both academic discourse and policy conversations across the BRICS landscape.At its core, the series creates a space where African perspective...

Summit Theme: “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.” At the XVII BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 6 to 7 July 2025, leaders of the BRICS nations convened under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.” They reaffirmed their shared commitment to the foundational BRICS principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, democracy, and inclusiveness. Building on 17 y...

On 25-26 June 2025 the Institute for Applied Economic Research (Ipea) as part of its Brazilian BRICS Presidency hosted the 17 BRICS Academic Forum, in Brasilia, Brazil. This years’ Academic Forum theme "Global South-Driven Cooperation for Inclusive, Sustainable Development and Reform of Global Governance”, guided carefully considered conversation that led to robust and purposefully actionable recommendations. Leading the South African delegation to the Academic Forum was the South Af...

In an era of intensifying global challenges, the governance of oceans has emerged as a critical issue for nations worldwide, transcending environmental concerns and impacting economic development, human security, and international relations. Recognising these complexities, the National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) has supported groundbreaking research initiatives, such as the "Oceans and Ocean Regions Governance" a project led by Professor Maxi Schoeman. This ini...

Prof Netswera recounted, “Without the collective efforts of over 69 academics from all our BRICS nations participating in the various Communities of Practice and over 70 Capacity Development Fellows (Master and Doctoral students), this Prize would not have been won. This team has in the past two years produced over 8 books, two special issues of journals and numerous independent journal articles through reputable publishers like Palgrave, Routledge and Springer. More books and journal articles ...