How would you envisage an effective regulatory approach in a rapidly changing global environment?
What regulatory actions would you propose to address challenges related to climate change in the next five to 10 years?
What methods and tools would you suggest national nuclear regulatory bodies use to reach out to the young professionals for their involvement in the nuclear sector?
The innovative ideas, solutions or initiatives of young professionals in the nuclear sector is what the international community is eager to hear at the upcoming IAEA International Conference on Effective Nuclear and Radiation Regulatory Systems: Preparing for the Future in a Rapidly Changing Environment.
To this end, the IAEA is launching a competition offering young professionals the chance to be youth panellists at the conference, to be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 13 to16 February 2023. Through the competition, as well as a special youth panel, the Agency aims to incorporate the voices of today's youth into the event outcomes.
The competition is open to young professionals between 18 and 35 years old. Submissions should address the challenges from the perspective of improving the effectiveness of the nuclear regulatory systems. Applicants are required to submit their synopses outlining tangible and innovative ideas, solutions, or initiatives to address the challenges in, for example, the application of the "graded approach" while developing or adapting regulatory strategies and programmes; capacity building for the future; regulatory effectiveness in an increased use of digitalization and innovative technologies, climate change and more.
All submissions must be in English and the deadline to submit synopses is Monday, 7 November 2022.
"Young people have a key role to play in the future of nuclear science and technology for which safety is of paramount importance," said Lydie Evrard, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. "Listening to the next generation and learning more about their innovative ideas and opinions is important and is one of the main reasons why the IAEA is eager to have them join global experts. I invite young people to take part in this competition and share their views on how nuclear and radiation safety can be strengthened in the coming decades."
The Conference theme is "Preparing for the Future in a Rapidly Changing Environment". One of its goals it to highlight the importance of capacity-building and the role of regulators in ensuring the sustainability of competence of the work force in the nuclear regulatory sector. In this context, the competition being held is to provide an opportunity for young professionals to showcase their abilities and to engage with the international nuclear regulatory community.
The authors of five finalist shortlistings will be invited to participate in the conference and present their work, and three shortlistings will be announced as competition winners at the end of the event. In addition, the winners' proposed ideas or solutions may be considered for sponsorship by the IAEA, a national regulatory body, a technical support organization or a research institution. The IAEA will provide financial support for the winners to travel to and participate in the conference.
Additional details about the conference and topics covered can be found here as well as the rules and regulations of the competition.
