2 April 2017, Nairobi. The Inaugural African Youth Nuclear Summit 2017 took place last week in Nairobi, where Project 60 was presented to an international audience of young and senior nuclear professionals from the academia, research and development, radiation services providers, healthcare, nuclear operators, and nuclear regulators among others. Kamen Velichkov, ISTC Senior Programme Manager and Diplomatic Advisor, took part in the event, together with representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the World Nuclear Association (WNA), the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO), the EU CBRN Center of Excellence for Eastern and Central Africa, the International Youth Nuclear Congress (IYNC), and many other participants from national and regional professional organizations from Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, Belgium, Canada, Sweden, USA, China, and Eastern Africa.
Just a month after its official launch with national stakeholders from its 12 participating countries, Project 60 stepped into an international stage where top-notch experts from across the “Nuclear Globe” discussed various aspects of the nuclear science, technology and industry; nuclear politics, economics, communication and social aspects and the involvement of young professionals in demystifying nuclear science and technology in Africa. With its focus on strengthening the nuclear security in the region of East and Central Africa through improved regulation, training, capacity and awareness, Project 60 was highlighted as a valuable contribution to the growing collaborative efforts of national and international stakeholders in the nuclear field in the region. The presentation of Project 60 was a part of the Summit’s 20 + plenary and workshop sessions, and a vivid debate about the nuclear safety culture in Africa. The African Young Generation in Nuclear was officially launched at the Summit to broaden the engagement of young professionals in making nuclear science and technology part of the region’s development agenda.
On the sides of the Summit, Project’s 60 manager Kamen Velichkov held discussions about the future activities of the project with the High Commissioner of Tanzania to Kenya H.E Talha Mohamd Waziri, the representatives of IAEA prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak and Tamara Yankovich, the President of the International Youth Nuclear Congress Janin Denis, the acting CEO – Joseph A.W. Maina and the team of the Kenyan Radiation Protection Board.
The Kenyan Young Generation in Nuclear, proud host of the inaugural African Youth Nuclear Summit, expressed special thanks for the generous support offered by Project 60 and committed to take an active part in various public awareness activities during the project’s implementation.