Promoting 'nuclear security culture' in the developing world

Nuclear and radioactive materials, though useful and beneficial in many fields including energy, medicine, agriculture and industry, could pose a danger to the environment and to the public if handled improperly.

To help developing countries build effective nuclear security strategies, the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and its partner, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will conduct the second annual "International School on Nuclear Security" in Trieste from 7 to 18 May 2012.

The School, which combines ICTP's international network of researchers in developing countries with IAEA nuclear security expertise, plays an essential role in supporting countries' efforts to prepare experts who are well equipped and qualified to analyse national nuclear security needs, prevent and combat the threat of sabotage or the use of nuclear and radioactive material for criminal or unauthorized acts, and prepare effective response measures to nuclear security events.

Co-sponsored by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the School was initially proposed by the Italian government in 2010 during a Nuclear Summit in Washington, DC, where a number of nations pledged their support to strengthen global nuclear security. The School was reinforced during the Nuclear Security Summit this year in March in Seoul, where the Italian government announced to support this important initiative also in the future. Italy, ICTP's chief sponsor, included the Trieste school amongst its nuclear security action plans.

Facts about the School:

• 208 applications
• 57 participants from 39 countries
• 23% women
• Participants come from regulatory authorities, universities, research institutes, different national ministries, and law enforcement agencies

More details about the School are available on its website.

Related link: IAEA and Nuclear Security