BRICS Forum on People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges 2021- speech by Bikash Kali Das
Host: China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration
Speech by – Dr. Das Bikash Kali (达斯比卡什卡利)
Title : Significance of Youth exchange among the BRICS nations
Founder of XuFancheng culture study center. (www.xu-csc.com)
Dated : Nov 15 th 2021
Respected Dignitaries, Professors, and officials from BRICS nations ..
My name is Dr. Das, Bikashkali Director of XuFancheng culture study center. XuFancheng culture study center is an ongoing project to build an interdisciplinary culture and educational study center with a special focus on promoting cultural exchanges between India-China and Eurasian countries. I am also the secretary general of Pondicherry India-China friendship association , and recently we participated in the COP15 biodiversity event online with the observer status provided from UN .
Today it is a privilege for me to be here, among such important and notable dignitaries and deliver my speech at the 2021 BRICS Countries Cultural Exchange Forum. I extend my gratitude to the Host and Organisers of this event for providing me this opportunity .
India proudly held the BRICS Summit and the 6th BRICS Culture Ministers Meeting 2021 and we gladly look forward for China to host the next years BRICS summit .
India’s Hon’ble Minister of Tourism and Culture proposed for formation of BRICS Alliance in the field of conservation, preservation and digitisation of ancient manuscripts.At the 7th meeting of the BRICS Environment Ministerial meet, India stressed on the need for taking concrete collective global actions against global environment and climate challenge.
We all know the fact that Culture, is diverse within the BRICS nations. The main thing that unites the representatives of BRICS countries, is the desire to speak from a unified position on the global development of a cross-cultural society. The diversity of the culture among the BRICS countries is a unique advantage. BRICS countries are multinational, multicultural, and multilingual. There is a huge potential of educational and cultural tourism for Youth among the BRICS countries . The issue of pandemic is temporary , We can prepare now and shape the direction of our Globalisation after the pandemic. With all the differences in lifestyle, and traditions among the BRICS nations as we travel , communicate and learn about the culture and tradition of each other, we can build intercultural relations and policies where common moral values will shape the foundation of BRICS.
Between the BRICS nations we can develop Youth exchange platforms in the fields of architecture , literature, art, protecting cultural heritage , Sustainable development goals , biodiversity protection and engaging in environmental issues on the basis for international cooperation. The Youths of BRICS nations can build projects and execute together. If the policy makers can help build a BRICS Non-Governmental Organisation for Youths, it can help in shaping the Cultural exchanges among the BRICS nations and also will bring more opportunities for the Youths to contribute in making a better society.
Under our XuFancheng culture study center we have initiated a joint cultural video production , where Youths of India and China produce short videos on various cultural topics. Currently it is an educational and non-commercial pilot project to bring Youths of India-China in enhancing cultural exchanges. Co-production of such cultural documentaries and videos in the film and television industries can bring new scopes and opportunities. Videos are a powerful way to showcase different ethnicities, diversified cultures ,laughter, and dreams that try to all tell the story of our nations. We also extend our invitation to have cooperation with other Youth cultural study centres of BRICS nations. We try to have more exchange activities, utilise innovation and creativity to solve challenges, and collaborate more in a wide range of fields to build the BRICS cultural community. The five BRICS countries have their own advantages in culture, science and education to share for a better future.
Cultural collaboration and people-to-people exchanges greatly enhance understanding among the BRICS countries while improving their economic relationship and peoples quality of life. Culture is the particular area where the BRICS countries have historical and ancient ties with one another. China, India and Russia are the great civilisations connected through the exchange of culture and wisdom. The Silk Road is the witness of our historic cultural and trade exchanges. China gave the world Paper-making, Printing, Tea , Silk and the compass whereas India gave the Numeric system , Ayurveda , Yoga and Sanatana dharma ( Brahmanism ).From Russia the world got the Founding Father of Chemistry Mikhail Lomonosov, the Periodic Table ,Electric Light Bulb ,World’s First Aircraft, the Safety Parachute and the Sputnik. All these civilisations have immense potential areas to share and learn from each other. In this century China is the most advanced country in technology and India has developed its traditional ayurvedic and holistic medical treatment which is known throughout the world . The traditional medicine is unique in our own countries. Through cultural exchanges we can work together in the field of healthcare.
A better cultural understanding is much needed among the Youths of the BRICS nations. The youths comprises the Millennials and the GenZ . The Millennials in China is about 415 million , India is aprox. 440 million which make up 47 percent of the world’s millennial population. Also the Generation Z is maturing faster in both India and China . Education and Culture is the main ladder for social mobility, and the Youths. Today Youths are the most powerful consumer group on Earth. In China, they are masters of digital wealth. Both societies of India and China pressure their youths to do well in academics, find a good job, and settle by a certain age.
Indian youths grew up with English literature and media with western education and have also adopted English as their first language in some cases. Content of BRICS nations digital and entertainment sphere is almost entirely in their own language. Thus Language and cultural exchange among Youths of BRICS nations is important to have better understanding.
The challenges world is facing are sustainable agriculture , Climate Changes, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Losses, Fisheries Depletion,Deforestation,Water Deficits, Maritime Safety and Pollution and many more. Among the BRICS countries with the best bio-diversity are China and India.Cooperation between India and China is significant for curtailing biodiversity loss, mitigating global climate change , and reducing deforestation.
The two fast-growing countries, which also are the world’s most populous, will play a big , and a dominant role in shaping the environmental outcomes for our planet this century . Considering the magnitude of the environmental issues, BRICS countries need to work together more closely. Biodiversity knows no ‘national boundaries’ and nations must protect species from rising consumption, dams, and industry.
BRICS countries need to overcome cultural and linguistic barriers. We need support in promoting cross-culture exchanges. It is necessary to promote inter-cultural and language studies among the BRICS nations.
The Embassies in the BRICS nations can support non-governmental organisations and cultural study centers to create mechanisms for cooperation.
Youth inter-cultural programs could be key in bringing the countries together and facilitating such cooperation. International foundations and non-governmental organizations that are engaged in environmental issues and friendship relations can develop transnational programs, the NGOs can play pivotal roles in facilitating and encouraging multinational talks on cultural exchanges , biodiversity , climate change and related environmental problems that transcend political boundaries.
The Youths of BRICS countries can work together in the field of establishing the framework for Making Peace with Our Planet and peace among each other, that is most important for accelerating Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. The youths will increasingly demand more just, equitable and progressive opportunities and solutions in the societies, the need to address the multifaceted challenges faced by young people such as access to education, health, employment and gender equality will become more pressing issues than ever, unless we come together and begin to work with each other. BRICS countries have the resources and ideas to address them, and to support the Youths.
New forms of civilisation will emerge from the convergence of minds, information, and technology. Scientific and technological breakthroughs will improve the human condition.Our challenges are trans-national in nature and trans-institutional in solution. They cannot be addressed by any government or institution acting alone. What we require is collaborative action among governments, international organisations, corporations, universities, NGOs, and Creative individuals of the BRICS countries .
Thanking everyone for this opportunity . We can build a better world together.
