TEHRAN – Marco Fernandes, Brazil representative of the BRICS Citizens Council, stressed the need to benefit from the experience and knowledge of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS).
“By sharing capabilities and experience in various fields, we are working with member states to implement important policies in the BRICS Civil Council,” Mehr news agency quoted Fernandes as saying.
The official made the remarks during a meeting with IRCS chief Pirhossein Kolivand in Tehran on Monday.
Indeed, IRCS, with its strong potential and extensive experience in carrying out humanitarian operations at national and global levels, will play an effective role in the Council, the official stressed.
Mr. Kollivand said that currently more than 4 million volunteers, including more than 100,000 elites and scientists, serve in IRCS, and that the association plans to increase this number to 20 million.
Referring to the Applied Science and Technology Center affiliated with IRCS, the official said IRCS is ready to attract international students from BRICS countries to share knowledge and expertise. “We can also train social work teams in the BRICS region and draw on the experience of other countries,” he added.
By increasing synergies in the provision of relief and rescue services and sharing experiences, joint concepts in the field of relief and relief can be developed, thereby improving the ability of relief agencies to deal with potential international disasters, Mr. Kollivand pointed out.
IRCS expertise brings “added value” to BRICS
In September 2024, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Alekseevich Ryabkov said that the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS)’s extensive and recognized activities at the domestic and international levels could be an added value for the BRICS member states.
Officials also called on IRCS to share its knowledge and experience with member states, according to the IRCS website.
Ryabkov made the remarks during a meeting with IRCS Director of International Affairs Razie Arishvandi, held on the sidelines of the 4th Eurasian Women’s Forum.
Mr. Alishvandi represented Iran at the 4th Forum held in St. Petersburg, Russia from September 18th to 20th.
The official delivered a speech on Iranian women’s empowerment at the forum, stressing the importance of promoting women’s participation in social, economic and political decision-making.
Noting IRCS’s successful work and experience in empowering vulnerable women and heads of households, Foreign Minister Alishvandi said that many women in Iran have benefited from IRCS’ training courses, including first aid, relief skills, entrepreneurship, resilience in crisis, and basic psychological support in the homes of Helal (a community-owned Red Crescent Society).
“They also have the necessary job skills. Most of them become entrepreneurs while acquiring job skills,” she further said.
MT/MG