The association of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) approaches its 10th annual summit with a refreshing theme: “Envisioning inclusive development through a socially responsive economy.” Many are hoping and praying that this theme does not live and die as an empty slogan.
CEO's Note
This year is a milestone for BRICS, marking as it does the 10th anniversary of its formation. As the host country for the 2018 summit, South Africa has a role to play in shaping the discourse and the agenda regarding the future of BRICS. There is growing academic and public interest in all matters related to BRICS and the Global South. Academics and researchers in South Africa have established long-term comparative research projects and networks in Brazil, Russia, India and China. The same can be said for civil society and labour organisations, which have established various networks with their counterparts in these countries.
However, there is often a missing link between academics, researchers and policy makers, civil society and labour. It gives me great pleasure, then, to introduce this new publication, the BRICS Academic Review. It is hoped that this must-read will go some way towards bridging the gap between academics, researchers and policy makers.
The establishment of BRICS a decade ago goes beyond the simple concept of
having five different countries come together to form a political and economic collaboration. The most compelling purpose for the formation of BRICS was, and still is, that of changing the geopolitical landscape.
