4 December 2017, Nairobi, Astana. A two-day international integrated workshop on nuclear advocacy and communication, convened by the African Young Generation in Nuclear (AYGN) and supported by the ISTC, gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, over 100 university students, young researchers and industry professionals from a dozen African countries. Talks and interactive discussions covered a wide range of topics from communicating benefits of nuclear science and technology to nuclear risk and crisis communication, to opportunities and challenges for nuclear in East Africa. A group of senior professionals led the topical discussions. Dr. Kamen Velcihkov, ISTC, conducted a workshop on best practices in nuclear safety and security, Ms Marielle Rogie, Belgium Nuclear Forum, discussed nuclear advocacy from industry perspective and Mme Sheriffah Noor Khamseah, innovation and nuclear expert from Malaysia, talked about the engagement of stakeholders in spreading nuclear safety and security culture.
The event, which was part of the Future Energy East Africa Conference, offered ample opportunities to future African leaders meet senior professionals from international companies such as Siemens, Rosatom, McKinsey, Schneider Electric and others, as well as talk to government officials, nuclear and energy regulators, and international development partners.
The Conference was opened by Dr Joseph Njoroge, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Kenya with a talk on the role of nuclear energy in the national strategy Vision 2030. The Ministry is one of several Kenyan institutions that ISTC has established working relations in the course of the implementation of two multi-country projects in Africa, namely: Support go the EU CBRN Center of Excellence for East and Central Africa in Nuclear Security (Project 60) and Support to Southern African States in Nuclear Safety and Safeguards (Project MC5.01/15B). On the fringes of the conference, Dr Kamen Velcihkov held a meeting with Arthur Koteng, Deputy Head of Radiation Protection Board in charge of International Cooperation about the possibilities of institutionalizing of Kenya’s relations with ISTC, and the conduct of a training course at Kenyata National Hospital within the framework of P-60. At a separate meeting with Paul Mbuthi, Principle Renewable Energy Officer, Energy, Environment and Health Planning, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, questions related to capacity building and adoption of international best practices in nuclear safety, security and safeguards came under scruitiny.
ISTC maintains excellent partnership relations with the Kenyan Young Generation in Nuclear, the South Africa Young Nuclear Professionals Society (SAYNPS), and the African Young Generation in Nuclear (AYGN) and supports the nascent national chapters of young nuclear professionals in several African countries. In addition to expanding its geographical reach and offering knowledge and know how in nuclear research and technology to new African partners, ISTC, through project implementation and public advocacy initiatives, lends a hand to a growing community of young professionals from industry, academia, public sector and civil society to build a safe and secure future nuclear Africa.
