By Foday Moriba Conteh
International activist and anthropologist, Hassan Ghazaly, founder of the Global Solidarity Network, participated as a keynote speaker representing Egypt at the BRICS Young Legislators Forum. His presentation, titled: “The Egyptian Experience in Preparing and Qualifying Parliamentary Representatives and Involving Youth in Legislative Processes,” showcased Egypt’s successful integration of youth into its legislative framework. The forum was organized by the Legislative Assembly of the Novgorod Region as part of the BRICS Cities and Municipalities Twin Forum.
Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, inaugurated the event, commending the Novgorod region for its rich history and hospitality. SergeyLavrov highlighted Russia’s commitment to strengthening the BRICS partnership, particularly in humanitarian cooperation and fostering people-to-people connections. He emphasized that the forum serves as a vital platform for dialogue among regional and local authorities, promoting twinning relations and enhancing collaboration among BRICS countries.
The Foreign Minister also noted that the recent expansion of BRICS membership has opened new avenues for exchanging ideas and experiences across various urban sectors. He expressed optimism that the forum would foster useful contacts, encourage joint projects and deepen the bonds of friendship and trust among BRICS nations.
The forum featured a lineup of distinguished speakers, including Gleb Nikitin, Governor of the Novgorod Region; Yevgeny Primakov, Head of Rossotrudnichestvo and Raymond Matlala, Chairman of the BRICS Youth Organization in South Africa. They were joined by representatives from various BRICS countries, all of whom contributed to discussions on youth involvement in politics and governance.
During his speech, Hassan Ghazaly emphasized the growing role of Egyptian youth in political decision-making at both the national and local levels. He highlighted that the current Egyptian Parliament has a significant number of young representatives actively participating in legislative discussions. Hassan Ghazaly credited state-led initiatives, such as the Youth Parliament simulation program, for effectively preparing Egypt’s young leaders for political roles.
He also spoke about the work of the Global Solidarity Network in promoting youth participation through national projects like the National School for Cadre Preparation (Seeds), which provides free training in languages and prepares students as international ambassadors. Additionally, he underscored the importance of youth centers run by Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, which play a crucial role in youth development and community engagement.
Hassan Ghazaly further acknowledged the contributions of civil society organizations and international youth movements originating from Egypt, such as the Nasser Youth Movement and the Mediterranean Youth Foundation, in fostering cultural exchange. He also praised the National Academy for Youth Leadership Preparation, which empowers youth from diverse backgrounds, especially women and integrates them into national development programs.
The forum’s sessions covered key topics, including international youth cooperation, youth parliamentary structures within BRICS, and best practices in youth participation in legislative processes across BRICS countries. The discussions also touched on the role of universities in developing administrative competencies for young leaders and the importance of solidarity as a driving force for youth policy in BRICS nations.
This forum served as a precursor to the BRICS Parliaments Forum, held from July 10 to 13 in St. Petersburg, which brought together parliamentary leaders from BRICS countries to enhance cooperation and promote multilateralism in global development and security.
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, emphasized the significance of parliamentary dialogue within BRICS, noting that it aligns with the group’s philosophy of respecting sovereignty, promoting democracy in international relations, and defending the political and national rights of people. He highlighted that Parliamentarians play a crucial role in addressing the demands of millions, thereby contributing to the advancement of global democracy.
