Regulations

APPROVED by decision of the Council of the Alliance, Minutes No. 1 of 27 May 2024.

Revision 2 approved by decision of the Council of the Alliance, Minutes No. [number] of [date].

Chair of the Council of the Alliance — I. V. Fomin. President of the Alliance — O. V. Dolgov.

REGULATIONS of the Alliance for the Development and Preservation of the Heritage of Science, Culture and Education of the BRICS Countries (ANKO BRICS)

Preamble

The trajectory of human development is a movement from the heritage accumulated in traditions, religions, culture, knowledge and material capital towards a better life through science and education, built on that heritage and preserving it.

The Alliance for the Development and Preservation of the Heritage of Science, Culture and Education of the BRICS Countries (hereinafter the Alliance) is an association without legal personality made up of scientific, educational, civil-society and cultural organizations of the BRICS countries and other partner countries, established under an agreement between its founding organizations (Agreement No. 1).

Name of the Alliance

LanguageFull nameShort nameAbbreviation
RussianАльянс по развитию и сохранению наследия Науки, Культуры и Образования стран БРИКСАльянс «Наука, Культура, Образование» БРИКСАНКО БРИКС
EnglishAlliance for the Development and Preservation of the Heritage of Science, Culture and Education of the BRICS CountriesAlliance “Science, Culture, Education” BRICSANKO BRICS
FrenchAlliance pour le développement et la préservation du patrimoine de la science, de la culture et de l’éducation des pays BRICSAlliance « Science, Culture, Éducation » BRICSANKO BRICS
Chinese金砖国家科学、文化与教育发展与遗产保护联盟金砖国家科学文化教育联盟金砖科文教联盟 / ANKO BRICS

In all languages the abbreviation “ANKO” is a transliteration of the Russian abbreviation “АНКО” (Alliance — Science — Culture — Education); no other Latin-script forms are used.

The activities and policy of the Alliance are governed by these Regulations. The highest body of the Alliance is the Council of the Alliance (hereinafter the Council), composed of representatives of civil-society organizations of the BRICS countries and other partner countries. The Council is headed by a Chair elected by the members of the Council by simple majority for a term of five years. The powers of the Chair are defined by these Regulations.

Mission

The principal mission of the Alliance is to raise the standard of living of peoples and to support the sustainable development of the BRICS countries and other partner countries through science, education and culture, while preserving the heritage of our ancestors in these fields.

Principles

  1. Development of the BRICS countries through international cooperation in science, education and culture.
  2. Political and economic agreements between governments are not enough to secure lasting and sincere support for the aspirations of peoples; the capacity for direct dialogue between the peoples of the BRICS countries must therefore be consolidated.
  3. Direct exchange of scientific knowledge and joint participation in research and development ensure the sustainable development of the BRICS countries.
  4. High-quality general and professional education is the path to a better quality of life for the peoples of the BRICS countries.
  5. Preservation of cultural heritage and development of cultural diversity are the foundation of the identity and resilience of the BRICS countries.

Goals

  1. In science:
    • identifying priority areas for the development of science;
    • supporting research in the fundamental sciences;
    • providing a scientific basis for human activity;
    • resolving issues in the practical application of scientific knowledge;
    • improving the quality of the research workforce of the BRICS countries;
    • exchanging knowledge across fields of science;
    • scientific review of innovative methodologies, concepts and technologies.
  2. In education:
    • rethinking education systems and access to education for a sustainable future of the BRICS countries;
    • accessible, high-quality general secondary education in the BRICS countries;
    • building processes for professional education at the global, regional and national levels for the sustainable development of the BRICS countries;
    • building an integrated education system for training and developing researchers in the BRICS countries;
    • assessing educational institutions and teaching staff against criteria developed by the Alliance;
    • exchanging research-methodological knowledge between educational institutions of the BRICS countries;
    • the necessary transformation of education systems on the basis of research and methodological work, with regard for the traditional outlook, religions and culture of the BRICS countries;
    • ensuring opportunities for lifelong learning.
  3. In culture:
    • identifying, safeguarding and protecting cultural heritage sites and objects;
    • developing public-enlightenment systems as a form of cultural development in the BRICS countries;
    • supporting and preserving folk traditions grounded in the culture of peoples;
    • preserving religious sites as a foundation of culture;
    • developing the creativity of individuals and groups and the dynamic sectors of contemporary culture in the BRICS countries.

Objectives under Goal 1

  1. Organizing and conducting global forecasting of priority areas in the development of science.
  2. Studying how the development of science and the introduction of scientific achievements affect quality of life and the human environment as a combination of natural and social factors.
  3. Public, interstate, state and financial support for research in the fundamental sciences.
  4. Developing applied sciences and methodologies for applying the fundamental sciences to sustainable human activity.
  5. Assessing researchers against criteria developed by the Alliance.
  6. Creating opportunities and platforms for knowledge exchange and interaction among scientists.
  7. Creating funding opportunities for research and development.
  8. Public (non-governmental) certification of innovative methodologies, concepts and technologies.

Objectives under Goal 2

  1. Disseminating successful strategies, plans and best practice in education on the basis of data collection, monitoring and dialogue with national authorities of the BRICS countries.
  2. Supporting opportunities and efforts to obtain high-quality general secondary education in the BRICS countries.
  3. Analysing the BRICS countries’ need for professionals; building processes for professional education at the global, regional and national levels for the sustainable development of the BRICS countries.
  4. Identifying people with potential for research in various fields; building an integrated education system for training and developing researchers in the BRICS countries.
  5. Analysing and assessing the work of educational institutions, with a view to improvement, through a public certification system, and assessing teaching staff against criteria developed by the Alliance.
  6. Organizing direct exchange of research-methodological knowledge between educational institutions of the BRICS countries.
  7. The necessary transformation of education systems under digital transformation, on the basis of research and methodological work, with regard for the traditional outlook, religions and culture of the BRICS countries.
  8. Building systems and pathways for lifelong learning, from primary education to higher professional education and subsequent innovation-oriented education.

Objectives under Goal 3

  1. Identifying cultural heritage sites and objects, creating registers and digital models of them, protecting them at the state and interstate levels, and developing systems for preserving and protecting cultural heritage.
  2. Developing public-enlightenment systems as a form of cultural development in the BRICS countries, to popularize heritage and attract public attention.
  3. Researching and producing printed, audio and digital objects and supporting folk groups to preserve traditions grounded in the cultural heritage of the peoples of the BRICS countries.
  4. Studying and preserving religious heritage as a foundation of tolerance and culture in the BRICS countries.
  5. Supporting creativity and the dynamic sectors of contemporary culture in the BRICS countries.

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1. The Alliance is a voluntary cooperation of organizations that are members of the Alliance (hereinafter Members), united by common goals.

1.2. The Alliance operates without legal personality as an association of organizations whose purpose is to assist Members in obtaining licences and accreditation, to carry out public (non-governmental) certification, and to create other favourable conditions for research, educational and methodological activities aimed at promoting lifelong learning for specialists with higher and secondary professional education, professional training and retraining, the study of cultural heritage, and the development of national and international cultural fields.

1.3. The Alliance’s work is directed at implementing its Members’ programmes and projects; supporting and promoting promising developments, innovative approaches and projects in research, research-methodological, educational and applied-research activities; and fostering interaction between non-governmental and state systems in science and education, including at the international level, on the basis of the cultural heritage, customs and traditions of countries and peoples.

1.4. Members retain full legal independence and their status as legal entities. The Alliance creates mechanisms for socio-economic interaction among Members with regard for the norms of international law, the national legislation governing research (state and public) and educational activity, intergovernmental agreements, international conventions and interstate programmes.

1.5. The seat of the Council and of the Presidium of the Alliance is the office of the International Academy of Fundamental Education (IAFE), where all documentation relating to the establishment and activities of the Alliance is kept.

1.6. The Alliance may have its own seal. The Alliance may use the logo of the autonomous non-profit organization “BRICS International Development Organization” (short name: ANO “BRICS Development”).

2. SCOPE AND FORMS OF ACTIVITY

2.1. The Alliance’s scope of activity includes:

  • developing educational tools that shape the citizens of the future;
  • strengthening ties between cultures and promoting the preservation of cultural heritage;
  • assisting in the development of research policy;
  • protecting freedom of expression as a fundamental right and a prerequisite for sustainable development;
  • developing international standards and running cooperation programmes that facilitate the free exchange of ideas and knowledge.

2.2. The Alliance’s main lines of activity:

  • mobilizing scientific knowledge and policy for sustainable development;
  • promoting the development of scientific schools (including original schools of thought) and the integration of proven scientific approaches into social practice;
  • taking part in building a system of lifelong learning that combines fundamental and professional education, including the full range of professional education across the sectors of the economy of the Russian Federation and other interested countries;
  • organizing, coordinating and providing methodological support for educational processes;
  • systematic engagement with public authorities, state institutions and the business community of the BRICS and other countries;
  • preparing proposals that help build the regulatory framework for fundamental and professional education;
  • assisting in the development, creation and introduction of innovative products in research, research-methodological and educational activities, including the methodological component of educational and advisory work;
  • taking part in promoting initiatives and work;
  • cooperating with interested Russian and foreign partners for further development;
  • addressing emerging social and ethical issues;
  • encouraging cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace;
  • building inclusive knowledge societies through information and communication.

2.3. The Alliance:

  • takes part in analysing current and future needs for professional training and retraining in various sectors of the economy;
  • engages Members in preparing and carrying out promising research projects;
  • develops and promotes a single Alliance web portal;
  • takes part in developing and coordinating a common policy to make continuing professional development and professionalism more attractive to investors;
  • carries out educational and advisory work to raise professional standards;
  • develops and implements public certification and attestation systems;
  • holds and takes part in conferences, seminars and other events that popularize and promote higher professional standards in various sectors;
  • promotes the role of science through integrated science, technology and innovation policy;
  • promotes the strengthening of science education and capacity-building in the natural sciences;
  • identifies, preserves and popularizes tangible, documentary and intangible cultural heritage;
  • promotes the preservation and protection of natural heritage.

3. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

3.1. Members have the right to:

  • elect and be elected to the bodies of the Alliance;
  • have access to the Alliance’s information materials and documentation;
  • take part in all organizational and representative events of the Alliance;
  • receive the information on the Alliance’s activities that is available to it.

3.2. Members are obliged to:

  • cooperate with one another in good faith in carrying out the Alliance’s tasks and pursuing its goals;
  • take part in the Alliance’s activities in accordance with its goals and objectives;
  • safeguard the Alliance’s interests in dealings with third parties;
  • promote the comprehensive development of the Alliance’s activities;
  • keep confidential any information of a commercial nature designated as such in the Alliance’s documentation;
  • inform Members of information and materials that are material to the Alliance’s work.

4. BODIES AND STRUCTURE OF THE ALLIANCE

4.1. The Alliance is governed in accordance with these Regulations. The bodies of the Alliance are: the Council of the Alliance, the Chair of the Council, the Bureau of the Council, the Presidium of the Alliance headed by the President of the Alliance, and the Coordinator of the Alliance. The Alliance has no other bodies.

4.2. The highest body of the Alliance is the Council. A meeting of the Council is the general meeting of Members.

4.3. Powers of the Council:

  • sets the strategy for the development and activities of the Alliance;
  • elects the Chair of the Council, the Deputy Chair of the Council and the President of the Alliance, and terminates their powers early;
  • approves the Coordinator of the Alliance and reviews its annual report;
  • approves changes to the composition of the Council and to these Regulations;
  • issues recommendations to the bodies of the Alliance on the main lines and forms of activity and provides research and methodological support for them;
  • assists Members and the bodies of the Alliance in dealing with legislative and executive authorities at all levels, judicial bodies, and international governmental, civil-society, scientific, educational and industrial organizations, unions and associations.

4.4. The Council consists of:

  • permanent members: representatives of Members who enjoy authority, a sound business reputation and recognition. A Member confirms the powers of its representatives by official letter; each Member delegates no more than two individuals to the Council. If the person delegated is not the head of the Member, their powers are confirmed by a power of attorney issued by the head of the Member;
  • non-permanent members (observers): representatives of interested public authorities and supervisory bodies, public associations, unions, non-profit organizations and other interested parties. Observers are admitted to meetings by decision of the Council for a term of one year, no more than one individual per organization, and take part in meetings in an advisory capacity.

4.5. Permanent members of the Council are delegated for a term of five (5) years with no limit on repeat delegation. Participation in the Council is voluntary. A member of the Council may withdraw at any time by written notice to the Chair of the Council; the Member that delegated them proposes a successor at the same time. Changes to the composition of the Council are approved by decision of the next annual meeting of the Council.

4.6. Meetings of the Council are held as required, but at least once a year, in person or remotely (including by video conference).

4.7. Organizational support for the work of the Council is provided by the Academic Secretary of the Alliance (clause 6.1) or by another member of the Council instructed by the Chair.

4.8. A meeting of the Council is quorate if more than half of the permanent members of the Council are present. Observers are not counted towards the quorum.

4.9. Meetings of the Council are closed unless otherwise decided before or during the meeting.

4.10. Decisions of the Council are taken by a simple majority of the permanent members present, unless these Regulations provide otherwise. Each permanent member of the Council has one vote; a vote may not be transferred to another person. In the event of a tie, the Chair of the Council has the casting vote.

4.11. Between meetings of the Council, the Bureau of the Council, composed of the Chair of the Council, the Deputy Chair of the Council, the President and the Vice-Presidents of the Alliance, develops the Alliance’s development policy. The Bureau may not take decisions reserved to the Council under clause 4.3.

4.12. The Bureau of the Council meets at least once a quarter; its decisions are recorded in minutes, which are circulated to Members.

5. CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL OF THE ALLIANCE

5.1. The Chair of the Council directs the work of the Council.

5.2. The Chair of the Council is elected by the Council for a term of five (5) years.

5.3. The Chair of the Council:

  • has one Deputy, elected by the Council from among its permanent members on the Chair’s nomination;
  • convenes and holds meetings of the Council, arranges the preparation of materials for them and presides over them;
  • represents the interests of the Alliance on matters assigned to the Council by these Regulations and by decisions of the Council;
  • performs other functions relating to the coordination of the Alliance’s activities with Russian, foreign and international organizations;
  • works in close cooperation with the President of the Alliance.

6. PRESIDIUM AND PRESIDENT OF THE ALLIANCE

6.1. The day-to-day affairs of the Alliance are managed by the Presidium of the Alliance, composed of the President, the First Vice-President — Academic Secretary of the Alliance, and the Vice-Presidents. The Academic Secretary supports the work of the Council and the Presidium and keeps the Alliance’s records.

6.2. The Presidium is headed by the President, elected by the Council on the nomination of the Chair of the Council for a term of five (5) years.

6.3. The number of Vice-Presidents is determined by the Alliance’s lines of work. Vice-Presidents are appointed by the President; each appointment is recorded in the minutes of a Presidium meeting.

6.4. The President of the Alliance:

  • manages the day-to-day affairs of the Alliance, including negotiations with individuals and legal entities on behalf of and in the interests of all Members, on the basis of the agreements concluded and in close cooperation with the Chair of the Council;
  • coordinates the various lines of the Alliance’s activity;
  • proposes mechanisms for interaction among Members;
  • approves and oversees programmes of activity within the Alliance;
  • deals with public authorities, enterprises, organizations and individuals on matters of the Alliance’s activity and development;
  • issues instructions to the Coordinator of the Alliance (clause 10.4).

6.5. The powers of the President may be terminated early by a decision of the Council adopted by at least two thirds of the votes of the permanent members of the Council, in the event of:

  • the President’s refusal to perform their functions;
  • non-performance or improper performance of their obligations amounting to a material breach of these Regulations.

6.6. The President may remove a Vice-President from office if they refuse to perform their functions or fail to perform, or improperly perform, their obligations. Removal is formalized by order of the President.

6.7. The Presidium meets at least once a month, in person or remotely; meetings are organized by the President or, on the President’s instruction, by one of the Vice-Presidents. Decisions of the Presidium are recorded in minutes, which are circulated to Members.

7. MEMBERSHIP AND WITHDRAWAL

7.1. The Alliance is open to other organizations. An organization sends the Presidium a Memorandum of Accession to the Alliance signed by it.

7.2. At its next meeting the Presidium decides on admitting the new organization as a Member; the decision is recorded in minutes. The new Member is sent an extract from the minutes signed by the President and the Academic Secretary. Accession takes effect on the date of the Presidium’s decision.

7.3. Withdrawal from the Alliance is by notification: the Member sends a statement addressed to the President. The withdrawal is confirmed by an open letter from the President notifying all Members.

8. CONFIDENTIALITY

8.1. When handing over documentation, Members notify one another in writing or electronically where necessary.

8.2. On receiving such notification, Members ensure the confidentiality of the information and the security of the intellectual property handed over to them by other Members or by partners of the Alliance.

9. PROPERTY RELATIONS AMONG MEMBERS

9.1. Participation in the Alliance is non-commercial and carries no payments or fees. All financial matters among Members are formalized and regulated by separate agreements between them.

9.2. Organizational and financial relations between individual Members are regulated by their own agreements and are not activities of the Alliance.

9.3. Members’ contributions to joint activities within the Alliance may include:

  • Members’ material and technical resources: computer equipment, information systems, networks and software, distance-learning and research-outreach technologies, vehicles, and other movable and immovable property;
  • financial and material resources placed at the disposal of the Alliance’s joint projects and carried on the balance sheet of the Coordinator of the Alliance (clause 10.4);
  • methodological materials, results of intellectual activity and Members’ exclusive rights to them;
  • the professional knowledge, abilities and skills of Members’ specialists engaged in programmes, projects and events; Members’ business reputation, business contacts and experience in production, research and innovation.

9.4. The specific types of contribution, their valuation, the forms of participation in joint activities and other relations among Members are set out in separate agreements between Members.

10. FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC SUPPORT

10.1. The Alliance is not liable for the obligations of Members; Members are not liable for the obligations of one another or of the Alliance.

10.2. The Alliance’s programmes and projects are funded from:

  • targeted or voluntary investment in promising projects;
  • funds from investors and from federal, municipal and other budgets allocated for projects and targeted programmes;
  • income from Members’ activities within the Alliance’s joint projects;
  • voluntary donations and investment from legal entities and individuals, including foreign ones;
  • other sources agreed and approved by Members.

10.3. All financial activity is carried out in accordance with the applicable financial and tax legislation of the Russian Federation and of the other countries represented by Members, and with these Regulations.

10.4. Not being a legal entity, the Alliance does not conduct economic activity of its own. The financial and material resources required for the Alliance’s programmes and projects are managed by a legal entity, the Coordinator of the Alliance. The Coordinator is approved by decision of the Council from among the Members for a term of five years. The Coordinator carries out economic transactions in the interests of the Alliance in its own name, on the written instruction of the Presidium signed by the President and the Academic Secretary, and reports to the Council annually. When the Coordinator changes, the outgoing Coordinator hands over all documentation and financial and material resources to the new Coordinator under a transfer-and-acceptance act.

11. FINAL PROVISIONS

11.1. Each Member decides independently on the extent and forms of its participation in the Alliance’s activities.

11.2. In their activities within the Alliance, Members are guided by good intentions and the principle of good faith. Disagreements are settled by negotiation; failing agreement, disputes are resolved in accordance with the law of the country where the Council of the Alliance has its seat (the Russian Federation), unless the parties to the dispute agree otherwise, and with the ethical norms of international scientific and educational cooperation.

11.3. Amendments to these Regulations are proposed by the Bureau of the Council, the Presidium or Members and approved by the Council at a meeting held in person or remotely (by written poll).

11.4. These Regulations are published in Russian, English, French and Chinese. In the event of any discrepancy, the Russian text prevails.