History
The inaugural BRICS "Traditional Values" Forum was held in Moscow from November 17 to 20, 2024. The Forum was organized by the World Association of Social, Spiritual, and Political Leaders for Traditional Values "True Values," with the support of the Russian Book Union. The main theme of the Forum was “The Moral Foundation as the Basis for Successful International Cooperation.”
The event brought together parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, cultural and public figures from Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, Uganda, and Russia.The participants convened in Moscow to identify shared moral values and cultural traditions that can strengthen constructive dialogue and cooperation among nations.
Acknowledging the importance of a multipolar and diverse world, and guided by the principles of equal and respectful intercultural exchange, the Forum organizers set forth the following key objectives:
- To identify and study values common to the peoples of BRICS countries;
- To highlight current challenges related to the strengthening and promotion of shared moral foundations, and to encourage lawmakers, public and cultural figures to collaborate on solutions;
- To create platforms that facilitate cultural exchange and enable joint initiatives in the areas of humanitarian cooperation, entrepreneurship, and other fields.
Several significant decisions were adopted during the Forum:
The establishment of the Permanent BRICS Meeting on Literature and the BRICS Literature Award. This initiative is intended to connect the cultural and literary spheres of BRICS countries, strengthen cultural ties through the study and promotion of literature, and showcase the works of contemporary authors from member states.
The creation of a unified BRICS volunteer platform, based on the shared traditional value of mercy. This platform is supported by national online services grounded in spiritual traditions, such as the “Volunteers of Peace” initiative launched by the World Christian Association of Parliamentarians.
The launch of a business platform that brings together individuals who view creative labor as a form of service. This platform aims to provide positive examples of entrepreneurship, contribute to a broader understanding of business’s role in society, research the ideology of creative enterprise, build a scientific knowledge base, and offer educational and consulting support for young entrepreneurs.
The transfer of responsibility for promoting shared traditional values to Brazil, which will assume the BRICS Chairmanship in 2025. Representatives from Brazil—including parliamentarians and public figures—expressed their full support for all Forum decisions and initiatives and committed to further advancing them during Brazil’s leadership.
The Forum concluded with the signing of a Declaration addressing the most pressing issues related to the preservation of traditional moral values and the enhancement of cultural exchange on this basis. Concrete joint solutions and initiatives were adopted in the Forum’s key focus areas: culture, humanitarian cooperation, and creative entrepreneurship.