Coppe is organizing the national round of the BRICS-RI Debate 2026
Planeta COPPE / Transport Engineering / News
Date: 10/09/2026
Competition brings together students and young researchers for a debate on contemporary issues related to the BRICS and the Global South

Master’s and doctoral students will have the opportunity to participate in an international competition and put their skills in argumentation, critical analysis, and diplomacy to the test. The Brazilian round of the BRICS-RI Debate 2026 will be held online by Coppe/UFRJ, through the Sustainable Transportation Laboratory (LabTS), in partnership with the BRICS Research Institute, on September 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Brasília time.
Participation in the national round can also serve as a gateway to the international round of the competition, which brings together students from different BRICS countries. In addition to broadening exposure to diverse perspectives on global issues, the experience helps develop skills useful for both academic and professional careers.
Created to foster structured dialogues on topics relevant to BRICS countries and the Global South, the BRICS-RI Debate offers participants an exercise that combines research, argumentation, and the ability to engage with different viewpoints.
Evidence-based debate
During the competition, participants will be given a prompt related to contemporary issues on the BRICS agenda, such as international relations, sustainable development, economics, geopolitics, and challenges facing the Global South. Based on the topic presented, they must develop arguments for or against the issue, using data, reliable sources, and academic literature to support their positions.
The evaluation takes four dimensions into account: preparation and research; argumentation; refutation and critical analysis; and diplomacy and respectful dialogue.
Participants must also analyze opposing positions, identify potential weaknesses, and formulate well–reasoned responses. The ability to establish connections between national, regional, and global issues will be equally valued.
The competition is also organized in partnership with the University of Venda (Univen) and the Durban University of Technology (DUT).
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