In June 2024, Thailand formalized its interest in becoming a full member of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) bloc. Beyond the economic, political, and legal factors involved in such a significant move, another key concern is being discussed among current BRICS members, and should also be addressed by countries seeking to join: the contemporary challenges of leadership training and development. “If we are to prevail in the BRICS era, we have to prepare people to navigate change with solidarity, generosity, and a focus on social governance,” said Dr. Ricardo Rohm, Professor of the Department of Administration at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and Guest Researcher at Chulalongkorn’s Center for Science, Technology and Society at the Sasin Research Seminar. “If we let democracy disappear in the world of fraternizations, we will not have freedom about anything.” After more than two decades of training administrators and mentoring leaders in both public and private sectors, Dr. Ricardo is currently conducting research across the BRICS, with a particular focus on developing young leaders for the Global South. The Programs of Studies and Research in Human Development, Training of Transformative Leaders, and Social Governance, established in 2008, focused on three main areas:

1. Social governance and digital technologies
2. Transforming leadership
3. Human development and diversity

Dr. Ricardo emphasized that the program is developing new leaders with a transformative perspective—leaders who drive social change and innovate within societal systems. The program prioritizes diversity, conflict management, respect for other cultures, and establishing economic relativity while respecting different political regimes.

“We have formed incompetent conformists and we need competent rebels.” Boaventura de Sousa Santos

He also emphasized the importance of democratic participation. Drawing on Boaventura de Sousa Santos’s “Epistemology from the South,” Dr. Ricardo pointed out that these approaches focus on re-establishing democracy: “Democracy is at stake in many places,” he said. “Epistemology from the South is concerned about social governance in the world of digital technologies.” During the seminar, Dr. Ricardo also presented “The Unshakable Commitments”, of the program which includes:

• Producing open scientific knowledge from a southern epistemological perspective, fostering a decolonized approach within science.
• Encouraging dialogue among members of different scientific backgrounds and socioeconomic origins.
• Engaging in participatory research designs and social movements in 3D, as well as implementing effective strategies of datactivism.
• Attracting and involving young people in this bold and inspirational endeavor.

Dr. Ricardo emphasized that educational institutions should prioritize developing leaders through programs that focus on humanity, rather than concentrating solely on AI and technology. Such an approach, he argued, would foster more ethical leaders capable of guiding society with a sustainability mindset. He also highlighted several key skills that institutions must cultivate for the new multipolar world, including developing future leaders to be aware of diversity, honing their skills in critical analysis of political economy and international relations, strategic project planning and management, and conflict management and negotiation. Additionally, he noted the importance of ethical analysis in decision-making within public and private organizations, stressing the need to regain fundamental human principles.