Consisting of countries from literally all corners of the globe, BRICS is a shining example of the cohesion of different cultural backgrounds. Moreover, the approach BRICS takes by "accepting their [members'] richness in their history, their culture, their language" is the opposite of the West, which "has a lot to learn," according to Dr. Philani Mthembu, Executive Director at the Institute for Global Dialogue.
"Western countries, especially now, are struggling with diversity. They have been trying to basically make people from different cultures to become more like them and that is a different approach than what I think BRICS countries are trying to champion," Dr. Mthembu explains.
The expert explains that for centuries, Western countries "could appropriate other cultures, but they did not have to respect other cultures as equal to theirs."
"That approach of trying to dominate others means that in a world that is moving towards a multipolar order, you now have to adapt your thinking," Dr. Mthembu says.
Other guests featured in this episode include:
Claire Otieno, CEO of JM-Qafri Methuselah, a Kenyan medical equipment company;
Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa.
To hear what else the expert had to say, check out the entire episode of the AfroVerdict podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
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