BRICS Business Magazine English Edition No.4
Everyone wants to know when BRICS GDP will equal that of the United States and the European Union combined. But it is no less important to know what these countries will be like in the future, including social, cultural and technological characteristics; which development models they will adopt and how the mentality and work ethic of their citizens will transform. The development of education in the BRICS countries is one of the key factors that let us make predictions about the items in the above-mentioned list.
The idea that creating and supporting schools and universities that can compete globally must be a key national strategic priority and in one way or another is a part of the programme of every head of state and has been discussed ad nauseam. Nevertheless, little is actually done in this sphere. Education changes at a snail’s pace and leaders often lack the consistency and patience required to bring their programmes to fruition as the achievement of fast results takes priority.
Investing in educational institutions is a good example of sensible, pragmatic long-term planning, even if it results in losses. In a sense, education is an issue of national security and is the guarantee that countries (especially developing ones) will have enough ideas and educated citizens to ensure that they continue to progress. There is no such thing as superfluous effort when it comes to education. Besides this, I can say from personal experience that projects related to education are warmly welcomed by people who have changed the world for the better.
Authors & Experts
Winner of the Venice Architectural Biennale’s Golden Lion Award, columnist for The Guardian
Executive Director of EY’s Center for Smart City Innovation, Chairman of i-CANADA Alliance
Former Minister of Planning of Venezuela, Professor of the Practice of Economic Development of Harvard University
Robert S. Lynd Professor of Sociology Co-Chair of the Committee on Global Thought, Columbia University
Former Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, Global Distinguished Professor of Politics and Latin American and Caribbean Studies at New York University
Member of the Executive Board and Senior Vice President of Sberbank of Russia, Deputy Head of Sberbank CIB
2013 Nobel Laureate in Economics, Sterling Professor of Economics at Yale University
Thomas D. Cabot Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University, former Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund
President of the ESADE Center for Global Economy and Geopolitics, former Secretary General of NATO
