BRICS Policy Center Welcomes New Fellow Ilham Mounssilf

From April to July 2025, the BRICS Policy Center s hosting Italo-Moroccan fellow Ihan Mounssilf, who has joined the Political Economy of South-South Relations program, coordinated bv Professor Ana Garcia. In a brief interview Ilham shared her motivations and the interests that led her to engage in the program’s activities

1. Which research group are you working with, and how long will you stay here?

s part of my PhD proiect at the University of `agliari, which focuses on forms of regionalisn in the Global South, and following the ecommendation of the BPC coordinator, I was ssigned to the Political Economy of South-South elations program, under the supervision o Professor Ana Garcia. Given that my research examines regional cooperation in the Global South, this is the group that aligns most closely with my field of study. The BRICS bloc represents particularly stimulating development in the nternational relations landscape. I believe it is essential to explore its theoretical and conceptual definition in connection with the Global South, regionalism, and its transforming ole in an increasingly multipolar world. My sta is planned from mid-April to the end of July 2025.

2. Why did you choose the BRICS Policy Center for your fellowship?

I chose the BRICS Policy Center because it is a well-established institution in BRICS studies, with more than 15 vears of academic work- essentially since the group’s inception. Moreover had alreadv been followina the academic work of Protessor Ana Garcia for some time. Her insightful research on the BRICS and China’s economic relations–especially in the context of he Belt and Road Initiative and bilatera agreements with African and South American countries– has been a great source of inspiration for me. Therefore, it is an honor and a grea pleasure to work alongside her and interact witt other researchers at the center

3. What do you hope to achieve by the end o your stay:

Having already participated in several events ncluding BRICS Week in Brasília, I can say that lave partially achieved my goals-mainly that o meeting and listening to experts and international authorities discussing cross-cutting issues elated to the BRICS and global governance These were valuable opportunities for networking and expanding my intellectual horizons Specifically, I hope to contribute to the academic debate around topics related to the Global South and regionalism, which provide the context fo my analysis of the BRICS. I intend to produce a meaningful and thought-provoking paper on these themes

4. How might your experience at the BPC nfluence your future academic or professiona career?

• In many ways, this experience is already nfluencing my academic journey. The new onnections and insights I am gaining are shaping my trajectory. Being part of a leading esearch center on BRICS offers a unique opportunity to engage with knowledge produced outside of the Western context from which I come. This perfectly aligns with one of the core 1oals of my research. I hope to take back to my ome institution this distinct Braziliar perspective, which will certainly enrich my Inderstanding of international affairs. In the future, this experience will be a valuable asset both in academic and professional contexts, and the ties built during my stay in Brazil may lead to future academic collaborations.