Technology

Global survey reveals strong support for BRICS cooperation, expansion

Published

2 months ago

October 22, 2024

BEIJING, Oct. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A news report by chinadiplomacy.org.cn on BRICS cooperation and expansion:

At the BRICS Seminar on Governance & Cultural Exchange Forum 2024 on Sept. 23, Sun Jingxin, vice president of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, unveiled a report on the “Global Survey: BRICS Cooperation in the New Era of Global Development 2024.” The report, part of the academy’s Global Development and Governance Series, draws from a survey conducted in 30 countries across five continents. It gathers views from over 12,000 respondents on BRICS cooperation, focusing on concept consensus, development capacity, global contribution and future prospects in the current global development context.

The survey reveals strong support for China’s three global initiatives among the respondents. Following the BRICS expansion earlier this year, there has been increased recognition of the group’s core values, operating mechanisms, and practices in global governance. Many developing nations have expressed eagerness to join the “BRICS family” and anticipate greater contributions from BRICS cooperation toward building a shared future for mankind.

Below are the key findings of the survey:

1. Global civilization, development and security emerge as key concerns worldwide.

Respondents identified six major issues in global governance that require immediate attention, emphasizing global civilization, development and security. The highest percentages were observed for “respecting the diversity of world civilizations” (94.8%), “promoting economic recovery and development” (94.7%) and “promoting world peace and development” (94.7%). In BRICS countries, “respecting the diversity of world civilizations” and “promoting economic recovery and development” both scored 95%.

2. The Global Development Initiative (GDI) leads international development efforts.

The GDI, proposed by China, has emerged as a significant guide for global development cooperation. Among the 30 surveyed countries, each of the GDI’s core philosophies received an approval rating above 93.6%. “Pursuing innovation-driven development” scored highest at 94.9%, with respondents believing China has provided conceptual guidance and practical solutions for global development. In BRICS countries, “prioritizing development” and “pursuing practical actions” both rated highest at 94.8%, as respondents viewed solidarity and action as key to addressing global development challenges.

3. The Global Security Initiative (GSI) strengthens international security cooperation.

The GSI, committed to maintaining world peace and stability, saw each of its principles score above 94% approval across the 30 surveyed countries. “Respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries” received the highest rating at 95.1%. This principle was most approved by BRICS respondents (95.2%) and global youth aged 18-35 (96.1%). Other developing countries rated “paying attention to the legitimate security concerns of all countries” as the highest at 95.7%.

4. The Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) enhances cross-cultural exchanges and learning.

Respondents thought the GCI embodies China’s idea of civilization. They felt it helps countries overcome differences and learn from each other. Each of the GCI’s main components scored an approval rating above 95%, with the highest ratings on “attaching importance to civilization preservation and innovation” and “respecting the diversity of world civilizations.” In addition to approving “attaching importance to civilization preservation and innovation,” BRICS respondents were most supportive of “strengthening international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation,” with an approval rating of 95.3%. Globally, young people aged 18-35 were most in favor of “respecting the diversity of world civilizations,” with a high approval rating of 96.2%.

5. BRICS countries’ governance capacity receives widespread approval.

Respondents from 30 countries approved of the governance capacity of BRICS countries. An average approval rating of 94.7% demonstrates that they believe BRICS countries have good governance capabilities and lay a solid foundation for global development. Approval ratings provided by BRICS respondents and other developing countries were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively, higher than those of developed countries. The approval rating provided by global young people aged 18-35 (95.8%) was higher than that of other age groups, indicating that the younger generation has greater trust in the governance capacity of BRICS countries.

6. The expansion of BRICS boosts global economic momentum.

After the expansion of BRICS, the share of BRICS countries in the global economy rose to about 36% of world GDP in purchasing power parity terms. Respondents mostly spoke highly of the contribution that BRICS countries made to the world economy and provided an average approval rating of 94.5%, believing that the BRICS mechanism will provide stronger momentum for global economic development. BRICS respondents and global young people aged 18-35 provided the highest ratings, both above 95%.

7. BRICS countries contribute significantly to global development and governance.

Respondents from all 30 countries believed that the BRICS mechanism had made important contributions to promoting global governance, maintaining world peace and stability, improving climate governance, and promoting mutual learning among civilizations, with approval ratings of above 94% in these four fields. BRICS respondents felt this more deeply, with an average approval rating of above 95%.

8. The international community lauds BRICS countries’ growing influence.

With the expansion, the BRICS mechanism is entering an era of “big BRICS cooperation.” Respondents from 30 countries highly praised the international influence of BRICS countries, providing an average approval rating of 94.6%. They believed BRICS countries would achieve greater success on the international stage. Respondents from other developing countries and global young people aged 18-35 felt this more strongly, providing an average rating of more than 95%.

9. Developing countries are eager to join the expanded BRICS group.

The recent BRICS expansion has fostered new solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, attracting more nations eager to join. Respondents from 14 developing countries expressed strong interest in joining BRICS, with an average approval rating of 96.4%. They believed an expanded BRICS would promote a fairer global governance system and amplify the Global South’s voice in international affairs. Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Serbia showed particularly high approval ratings, each exceeding 97%.

10. The world expects BRICS countries to step up their actions in developing economies and trade, promoting equity and maintaining peace.

Respondents from 30 countries expressed high expectations for BRICS countries in several key areas. They anticipated strong performance in “promoting economic and trade cooperation” (94.8%), “representing the rights and interests of emerging economies and developing countries” (94.6%), and “strengthening political and security cooperation” (94.4%). They believed BRICS nations would collaborate to advance global development and governance. Respondents from BRICS countries and developed nations gave the highest ratings to “promoting economic and trade cooperation,” with approval ratings of 95.5% and 93.8%, respectively. Respondents from other developing countries showed the most interest in seeing BRICS countries excel in “representing the rights and interests of emerging economies and developing countries” (95.3%).

This is the third consecutive year that the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies and Beijing Dataway Horizon Co., Ltd. have conducted a public opinion survey on global development and BRICS cooperation. The online survey collected data from Beijing Dataway Horizon Co., Ltd. and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research’s global resources, following international standards for online surveys.

Survey questionnaires were distributed among 30 countries on five continents: Asia (China, India, Indonesia, UAE, Iran, Thailand, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Singapore), Europe (Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Greece, Hungary, Serbia), the Americas (U.S., Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru), Africa (Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia) and Oceania (New Zealand).

Respondents were 18 or older and had at least a college degree. The survey collected 12,316 valid questionnaires, with each country submitting an average of more than 400.

Global survey reveals strong support for BRICS cooperation, expansion
http://en.chinadiplomacy.org.cn/2024-10/22/content_117499263.shtml

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SOURCE chinadiplomacy.org.cn

Technology

Who’s Working Remotely? Virtual Vocations Survey Highlights Evolving Jobseeker Demographics

Published

4 hours ago

December 27, 2024

This survey underscores the diverse backgrounds and experiences of remote jobseekers, highlighting the growing demand for flexible work arrangements across various demographics.

TUCSON, Ariz., Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — With over 500 participants from the U.S. (69%) and international locations (31%), Virtual Vocations‘ 2024 demographics survey offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of remote work. By comparing responses across these groups, the survey highlights shared experiences and unique challenges faced by jobseekers worldwide.

“Whether based in the U.S. or abroad, jobseekers are embracing remote roles to align their careers with their personal goals, and we’re proud to be a part of their journey.” –Laura Spawn, CEO and co-founder of Virtual Vocations

Although Virtual Vocations is a U.S.-based company, it supports international jobseekers through its fully remote job board and career resources, addressing the global demand for remote work opportunities. The company frequently receives inquiries from international members seeking to access fully remote roles, punctuating the worldwide appeal of flexible work arrangements.

“The 2024 demographics survey results reinforce what we’ve known for years—professionals around the world are seeking flexibility, balance, and opportunities to work from home,” said Virtual Vocations CEO Laura Spawn. “Whether based in the U.S. or abroad, jobseekers are embracing remote roles to align their careers with their personal goals, and we’re proud to be a part of their journey.”

Fully Remote Jobs Remain Most Desired

A significant 43% of U.S.-based jobseekers and 42% of international respondents named fully remote, no-travel jobs as their top preference. These roles, which allow employees to work entirely from home, offer flexibility, aligning with both personal and professional goals. Although occasional in-person requirements may arise, fully remote roles are favored over hybrid, partially remote, and “work from anywhere” options. These positions provide businesses with access to a broader talent pool and enable employees to prioritize workplace values and culture.

Top Industries for Remote Jobseekers

The survey also highlights four key industries attracting remote jobseekers worldwide. Information Technology (IT) stands out as the leading industry for remote roles, with significantly more job postings than any other field. Healthcare follows closely, benefiting from the growth of telehealth and remote medical roles. Customer service offers engaging opportunities for professionals interested in client interaction, while education presents a wide array of roles in online teaching, tutoring, and instructional design, fueled by the expansion of virtual learning.

Jobseekers’ Common Frustrations

Both U.S. and international jobseekers shared frustrations, particularly with online job scams. Jobseekers expressed dissatisfaction with the prevalence of scams, especially when searching for work-at-home positions. Despite relying on online job boards, only a quarter (23% of U.S. respondents and 24% of international respondents) use dedicated remote job boards, like Virtual Vocations, where job postings are thoroughly vetted to ensure they are free of scams. Additionally, many jobseekers expressed frustration with excessive job requirements and employers failing to provide feedback or “ghosting” applicants during the hiring process, with one-third of respondents from both groups reporting these issues.

Income Insecurity: A Global Concern

Income insecurity remains a pressing issue for both U.S. and international jobseekers, with many reporting their earnings as insufficient for comfortable living. Sixty-five percent of U.S. respondents and 77% of international respondents reported inadequate household incomes. Nearly half (48%) of U.S. jobseekers earn less than $60,000 annually, while 68% of international jobseekers earn under $30,000. To improve financial stability, many jobseekers have set income targets, with 30% of U.S. jobseekers aiming for $60,000–$89,999 and another 30% targeting at least $120,000. In contrast, international respondents generally require lower salaries, with 38% seeking $30,000–$59,999 and 32% aiming for $60,000–$89,999.

For a comprehensive analysis and additional insights, read the full demographics survey report here: https://www.virtualvocations.com/blog/annual-statistical-remote-work-reports/remote-work-demographics-survey-results-2024/

ABOUT VIRTUAL VOCATIONS
Founded in 2007 by CEO Laura Spawn and her brother, CTO Adam Stevenson, Virtual Vocations is a small company with a big mission: to connect jobseekers with legitimate remote job openings. To date, Virtual Vocations has helped more than four million jobseekers in their quests for flexible, remote work.

In addition to providing a database of current, hand-screened, and 100% remote job openings, Virtual Vocations offers jobseekers a number of tools to aid in their job searches, including exclusive career courses, downloadable jobseeker content, and career coaching and resume writing services. Virtual Vocations also releases several data-driven reports each year on current trends in remote work.

Virtual Vocations, Inc. is a private, family-owned, and 100% virtual company incorporated in Tucson, Arizona.

Media Contact

Kimberly Back, Virtual Vocations, Inc., 1 (800) 379-5092 x. 703, kim@virtualvocations.com, https://www.virtualvocations.com

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SOURCE Virtual Vocations, Inc.

Technology

Judge Baker Children’s Center d/b/a The Baker Center for Children and Families Provides Notice of Data Security Incident

Published

4 hours ago

December 27, 2024

BOSTON, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Judge Baker Children’s Center d/b/a The Baker Center for Children and Families (“The Baker Center”), a nationally recognized provider of services for children’s mental health, has learned of a data security incident that may have impacted certain personal and / or protected health information. On December 27, 2024, The Baker Center formally notified potentially affected individuals with available address information and provided resources to assist them.

On July 28, 2024, The Baker Center discovered unusual activity within its local digital storage environment. After taking immediate steps to ensure the environment was secure, The Baker Center enlisted independent cybersecurity experts to conduct an investigation to determine what happened and whether sensitive information may have been impacted. According to the investigation, an unauthorized actor gained access to The Baker Center’s systems between July 26 – 28, 2024 and may have downloaded certain files. Following a thorough review of the impacted files, on October 28, 2024, The Baker Center determined that certain individuals’ personal and/or protected health information was potentially impacted during the incident.

The information affected during this incident varies between individuals but may have involved the following: name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license or other government identification number, financial account information, health insurance information, medical treatment or diagnosis information, and/or clinical information.

On December 27, 2024, The Baker Center mailed notification letters to potentially impacted individuals with verifiable address information. The letters include information about this incident and about steps that potentially impacted individuals can take to monitor and help protect their personal and protected health information. The Baker Center has established a toll-free call center to answer questions about the incident and to address related concerns. The call center can be reached at 844-920-8988, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern time.

The Baker Center takes the security and privacy of information in its possession very seriously and is taking steps to prevent a similar event from occurring in the future. The Baker Center deeply regrets any inconvenience or concern this incident may cause.

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SOURCE The Baker Center for Children and Families

Technology

outboundIQ Achieves Certified Implementation Partner (CIP) Status with Five9

Published

5 hours ago

December 27, 2024

Delivering Optimized, Outbound-Focused Contact Center Solutions for Modern Businesses

LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla., Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — outboundIQ www.outboundiq.com proudly announces its accreditation as a Five9 Certified Implementation Partner (CIP), a distinction that reflects its deep expertise in optimizing and streamlining outbound-focused contact center operations. With a team of seasoned Five9 veterans, expert programmers, and industry thought leaders, outboundIQ is uniquely equipped to help businesses of all sizes unlock the full potential of Five9’s Virtual Contact Center platform.

Optimized Solutions for Complex Contact Center Needs
outboundIQ specializes in providing expedited, outbound-focused contact center implementations, integrating advanced features such as inbound and outbound Voice, SMS, Chat, Email, Salesforce Integration, and other third-party app integrations. Clients can also leverage ongoing optimization engagements and monthly retainers for strategic consulting designed to support long-term, outreach-focused success.

“Who better to handle your domain configuration than the experts that understand the outbound contact center world. To be an outbound expert, you must know 3 things; how to configure the domain front end, how the architecture interprets that design, and how carriers respond to your dialing behavior as a result of the build. outboundIQ has the advantage of deeply understanding all 3 things. Our experts are seasoned professionals that will guide toward the best build for your business. You tell us about your business, your needs and your processes, and we will build you a domain fit for purpose. outboundIQ offers best in class Domain Optimization, Implementation and Consulting for customers of all sizes and complexity. Due to our methodology and proprietary automations, we are able to bring our customers’ projects to life within accelerated timeframes.”

– Jessica Clay, VP Support and Services

“We launched our business in June and were fortunate to connect with the incredible team at outboundIQ early on. Navigating the world of outbound calling and building efficient prospecting systems isn’t easy, but the entire team at outboundIQ brought our vision to life seamlessly. They implemented our ideas quickly and executed them flawlessly. Since partnering with them, our contact rates have significantly improved, our conversions have increased, and our overall business is thriving. We’re deeply grateful for this collaboration and look forward to continuing our work together on future endeavors!”

– Tim, Lit Financial

“I genuinely don’t know enough ways to thank the entire outboundIQ team. I inherited a domain riddled with mistakes, tangled beyond belief, and I had essentially planned to scrap the whole thing and start over. That’s when this team, led by Jessica Clay’s brilliance, took over to understand exactly what I wanted to create and completely revitalized my domain. We are all beyond thankful as they continue to consult for us to this day and I see no reason to stop. Thank you, Jessica, Jason, Rudy, Bruno, Sandy and everyone who gets the pleasure of working with these domain geniuses!”

– Michael, Lifetime Home Remodeling

A Holistic Approach to Outbound Excellence
Creating a competitive, consumer-focused outreach program requires more than just advanced technology. As outboundIQ explains, a thriving contact center functions like a high-performing racing team:

The Car: Five9 Virtual Contact Center provides a cutting-edge technology foundation.The Driver: Strong Dialer Administrators who skillfully manage operations.The Pit Crew: IT/Support teams ensuring seamless functionality.The Spotters: Data Analytics and Reporting experts optimizing performance.The Fuel: High-quality data driving better outcomes.

outboundIQ’s professional services team brings these critical elements together, ensuring clients achieve best-in-class outbound operations that prioritize consumer experience while maintaining a competitive edge.

A Call to Collaboration
With its new CIP certification, outboundIQ invites businesses to explore select partnership opportunities and projects to reimagine their contact center operations. Whether through expedited implementations or ongoing strategic consulting, outboundIQ is committed to driving measurable results for its clients.

About outboundIQ
outboundIQ delivers optimized, outbound-focused contact center implementations, combining years of Five9 expertise with cutting-edge strategies to help businesses achieve exceptional outreach outcomes. As a Five9 Certified Implementation Partner, outboundIQ provides tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of modern organizations.

About Five9
Five9 is a digital enterprise’s leading cloud contact center and software provider. The Five9 Intelligent CX Platform is reliable, secure, compliant, and scalable, designed to create exceptional personalized customer experiences.
www.five9.com

Media contact:
Sandy Tafur
Phone: 404-660-5314
mail: sandy@outboundiq.com

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SOURCE outboundIQ