Vladimir Rouvinski is Director, Laboratory of Politics and International Relations (PoInt), and professor, Department of Political Studies, at Universidad Icesi in Cali, Colombia. He graduated from Irkutsk State University in Russia, majoring in History and International Relations, and he holds an MA and PhD in International Development and Cooperation from Hiroshima University in Japan. Before joining Universidad Icesi in 2007, Vladimir worked with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and with educational and research institutions in Russia, Japan, and Colombia. He also held research positions at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC; Florida International University in Miami, FL; and Georg Eckert Institute in Germany. Victor Jeifets is a graduate of the Hertzen Russian Pedagogical University. He has a PhD in History from Saint Petersburg State University (1998) and Dr. Hab. in World History from the same university (2011). He worked with several universities in Russia, including National Research University in Information Technologies (ITMO) and Saint Petersburg University of Aerospace University (SUAI), before joining Saint Petersburg State University as Professor and Director of the Center for Ibero-American Studies and BRICS Studies Master's Program. He is also Professor of the Department of International Relations and Global Affairs at the Russian Academy of Sciences. Jeifets was Editor-in-Chief of Russian Expert Review, and he is currently Editor-in-Chief of Latinskaya Amerika academic journal. He also held research positions at the Institute for Latin American Studies (Moscow), the National Institute for Anthropology and History (Mexico City), and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington DC, and has been a visiting professor at the University of Barcelona.