Calling for powershift, BRICS Youth Summit ends on high note

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, July 3: The three-day BRICS Youth Summit ended here today with a call to shift the balance of power from the West towards the five-member grouping.

Participating members said a virtual secretariat of the BRICS Youth forum will be operatiolized shortly that would eble the members to remain in touch 24x7 through social networking.

"The youth of our tions can suggest how the demographic dividends of our tions can be used to shift the power from the West to the BRICS. It is encouraging that the young people are ready and hungry to be citizens of a better tion," said Khathulshelo Ramukumba, who led the South African delegation. He stressed on the need for working collectively towards it.

Russian minister Sergey Pospelov, who led his country, said a virtual secretariat of the BRICS Youth forum will be operatiol shortly which would eble the members to remain in touch 24x7 through social networking, so as to take cooperation to the next level.

Brazilian delegation leader GF Alves Pereira said the Summit was a good forum for the youth to float new ideas and the participation was encouraging. Terming the Summit a fruitful one, Dong Du of Chi said the youth must continue to work unitedly.

Rajeev Gupta of India said the Guwahati resolution will be placed before the BRICS Summit at Goa in October this year for its fil incorporation. He said 95 events of BRICS are being held under the presidentship of India, focusing on different areas.

Discussions were held on four thematic areas of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Social Inclusion, Youth Volunteerism and Youth Participation in Governce.

Among key recommendations are creation and strengthening of apprenticeship programmes in the existing BRICS institutions, access to decent jobs for youth across the BRICS tions, training to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on business development services, business plans and website development, creation and promotion of regular expositions of young people and youth entrepreneurs to facilitate exchange of best practices, new technologies and seek fincial support, capacity building programmes for professiols who work with young people in the BRICS tions and creation of  new opportunities for youth participation in governce and decision making.

Russian minister Sergey Pospelov, who led his tion at the 2nd BRICS Youth Summit, said the performance by the orchestra team of Gauhati University at the event last evening impressed the audience so much that he invited them to perform at the intertiol fest next year.

Pospelov said he also met Assam Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal last evening and both discussed a gamut of issues. He said common issues like agriculture and tourism were discussed besides a tourist exchange programme.