From 11 to 14 December 2023, the Russian State University for the Humanities (RSUH) hosted the International Futurological Forum “Smart Civilisation: Man, Values, Education, Technology and the Future of the Multipolar World.”

The event presented the International Humanitarian Initiative “Smart Civilisation” (IHI), which is based on the long-term development of a network of horizontal links and hybrid projects of interaction between the commercial and non-commercial sectors of the economy of Russia, CIS, BRICS and other countries.

In his speech, Valery Fadeev, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation, spoke about the inevitability of changes in the world: “Will they be chaotic or will they be more or less manageable? This depends primarily on us. It is very important to build a joint BRICS intellectual field.”

Konstantin Mogilevsky, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, stressed the importance of the tools of network programmes: “We are developing and will continue to develop network universities. In total, these consortia include more than 250 educational and scientific organisations from 17 countries of the world.”

During the opening of the forum a co-operation agreement was signed between RSUH and TV BRICS. Janna Tolstikova, CEO of TV BRICS, spoke about the goals of integration of universities of BRICS+ countries into a single media space: 

“This is the development and promotion of the potential of international export of educational services. It is to support cooperation between Russian and BRICS universities in the field of education in terms of academic mobility and to promote a unified socio-economic agenda of BRICS through educational institutions in order to consolidate the image of BRICS as a leading force in the formation of a multipolar world order among young people”

Janna Tolstikova CEO of TV BRICS

Bo Wang of China University of International Economics and Business noted the importance of education in building international ties: “Universities and professors, and also the field of education, play a key role in building and bridging different nations to co-operate on equal principles.”

Garth Le Pere, a professor at the University of Pretoria from South Africa called for an analysis of the new model of international relations: “We are moving away from the old paradigm. We are also talking about a change in the format of international relations that recognises the changed reality of a new world order where the global South will play an increasing role.”

On the second day of the forum (12 December) a number of educational sections were held on such topics as: the mission of universities in promoting civilisational sovereignty and value-oriented education of students; prospects of interaction between the third sector, universities and innovative companies of BRICS+ countries; trends in the work of NGOs in Russia and the world; youth NGOs and international public projects and other topics.

At the official closing of the forum, the participants summarised the results of their work and adopted a final memorandum.

The event was attended by more than 180 participants – representatives of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, experts, scientists, representatives of universities, NGOs from Russia, BRICS countries (Brazil, India, China and South Africa), as well as CIS countries.

Photo: Smart civilisation: man, values, education, technology and the future of the multipolar world