As part of the second day of the Open Dialogue "Future of the World. New Platform for Global Growth" at the National Centre "Russia," a panel pitching on "Investment in People" took place, where some of the most outstanding essayists presented their ideas.

The topic "Investment in People" attracted the most significant number of essays worldwide, becoming one of the most popular within the Open Dialogue. The panel pitching on April 29 featured experts: Director of the Business School at the University of Zambia Lubinda Haabazoka, Chairman of the network organisation "Africa Mundus," operating in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean, Emmanuel Argo (France), founder of P2P Foundation Michel Bauwens (Belgium), and Director of the Belarusian Institute for Strategic Studies, Doctor of Law Oleg Makarov (Belarus).

Participants presented essays on various topics. Ismail Suliman Quraisha from South Africa, a joualist at the Institute for Corporate Citizenship, spoke about the role of business in social responsibility. Maxim Luppov from Russia, a postgraduate student at Lobachevsky State University, presented work on the role of artificial intelligence in the education system of BRICS+ countries. Jessica Martinez Cruz from Mexico, a lecturer at the Autonomous University of Puebla, dedicated her essay to the problems of African migration and human capital development.

Steven Alber from Estonia, an independent futurologist, presented work on how cognitive capital and psychological well-being can affect the economy's future. Elizaveta Romanova from Russia, a student at the Russian State Social University student, addressed the topic of inclusion and creating an accessible environment. Jakob Pinneker from Germany, head of the "Oka" recruitment agency, presented an essay on relocating qualified specialists to Russia.

Russian State Social University student Elizaveta Romanova's work received the highest evaluation at the "Investment in People" panel pitching.

"A barrier-free and inclusive environment is not a luxury but a necessity. If people can lea greater tolerance and respect, it will lead our country to greater development and, finally, can lead to the full realisation of human rights. A barrier-free environment provides equal opportunities not only for people with disabilities but also for pensioners, mothers, and military personnel. It provides them with a more comfortable living," believes Elizaveta Romanova.

Another pitching participant, Jakob Pinneker, also presented his vision of investment in people.

"The arrival of foreigners, primarily highly qualified, educated, financially stable, and with families, is a direct investment in Russia's human capital. The relocation of such people improves the investment climate, stimulates the flow of finances and development of the entire economic model, as well as improves the demographic situation, expands cultural and social contacts, and stimulates the inflow of new ideas," shared Jakob Pinneker, head of the "Oka" Recruitment Agency.

He explained that the Nizhny Novgorod region was one of the first regions to begin actively working to assist in the relocation of highly qualified foreign specialists to Russia. The expert added that the region's experience needs to be scaled up across the country to use foreign human resources for Russia's development and prosperity.

The Open Dialogue gathered 696 works from 102 countries, written in 18 languages, including Pashto, Malagasy, Serbian, and Greek. Following more than 200 online interviews, 101 authors and 24 world-class experts were selected for in-person participation in Moscow. Together, they represent 48 countries from all continents. Those who could not attend the program in person had the opportunity to watch the online broadcast on the russia.ru website.