Building BRICS: 21st-century leadership in emerging markets
This panel will be focusing on dialogue between young leaders within the BRICS nations and the importance of the BRICS organisation as a platform for this new generation of leadership, be that leadership in business, politics, charity or civil society. The panel will be chaired by the journalist Ashraf Garda, who chaired the opening panel of the 2023 BRICS leadership conference.
Speakers
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Dr Da WeiDirector, Center for International Security and Strategy, Tsinghua UniversityDr Da Wei
Counsellor
Director, Center for International Security and Strategy, Tsinghua University
Da Wei is the director of the Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS) at Tsinghua, and professor of department of International Relations, school of Social Science, Tsinghua University. Dr. Da ’s research expertise covers China-US relations and US security & foreign policy. Da Wei has worked in China’s academic and policy community for more than 2 decades. Prior to current positions, Dr. Da Wei was the assistant president of University of International Relations (2017-2020), director of the Institute of American Studies, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (2013-2017). He has written hundreds of policy papers to Chinese government, and published dozens of academic papers on journals in China, the US and other countries. Da Wei earned his BA and MA from UIR, and his Ph.D. from CICIR. He was a visiting senior fellow at the Atlantic Council of the United States from 2006 to 2007, and a visiting senior associate at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University from 2008 to 2009.
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Shudufhadzo MusidaHumanitarian, Author and Mental Health ChampionShudufhadzo Musida
Counsellor
Humanitarian, Author and Mental Health Champion
Shudufhadzo 'Shudu' Musida is an Author and Mental Health Champion, whose journey is rooted in a deep commitment to humanitarian causes, shaped by her childhood experiences and an unwavering desire to uplift her community. Crowned as Miss South Africa in 2020, she transformed her title into a platform for meaningful change, dedicating her advocacy to mental health and sustainable development. Shudu's journey is deeply rooted in her belief in the transformative power of education. This belief was the bedrock of her academic pursuits, culminating in a Bachelor of Social Science degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Pretoria, followed by an Honours degree in International Relations from the University of Witwatersrand. As the first Regional Champion for Eastern and Southern Africa with UNFPA, Shudu has become a force for sexual reproductive health rights and mental health. Her impactful work extends to the written word, with two authored books on mental health earning her well-deserved recognition. Beyond her humanitarian endeavours, Shudu merges her passion for modelling and the entertainment industry. Highly selective about projects, she brings purpose to every initiative, placing immense importance on mental health, both in her personal life and as a central theme in her advocacy work.
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Ashraf GardaThe Converation Architect, Founder of Champion South AfricaAshraf Garda
Counsellor
The Converation Architect, Founder of Champion South Africa
Ashraf Garda is The Conversation Architect - he uses the art of story telling and asking the questions that matter to break down concepts and to build consequential impactful conversations
He is an authoritative talk show, an lengaging Programme Director and MC as well as an impactful keynote speaker and also a host on multiple digital platforms
It is a measure of Ashraf Garda’s national stature that he was appointed to serve his country as the MC for the opening day of the BRICS Summit of both 2023 and 2018
Ashraf Garda’s purpose is to champion people because “champion people build champion nations” . Understandable then that he is at the Centre of conversations to find and embrace South Africa’s national purpose. The Champion South Africa project of which he serves a Chief Champion Spotter is a movement for change with the end goal to inspire the building of South Africa into a champion
Nation.He is a member of the prestigious Council of Champions that forms part of the Centre for Social Justice chaired by Prof Thuli Madonsela , South Africa’s former Public Protector and he also serves on the judging panel for the annual Social Justice Champion Awards
In 2023 he was chosen by the Treeshake movement as one of their 27 Changemakers working towards a more United nation .