A Safe Nuclear Culture

The 4th edition of the school on Nuclear Security, jointly organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and ICTP, in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy and the Partnership for Nuclear Security, began at ICTP on 28 April 2014. The two-week school aims to provide 45 participants from developing countries with in-depth understanding of different facets of nuclear security, ranging from policy and legal matters to issues related to science and technology.

Addressing the audience at the opening via a video link, Cons. Amb. Emanuele Ferruggia from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Italy, said he hoped the school would be as successful as the previous ones. He stressed on the importance of education and training in building a safe nuclear culture around the world and said that ICTP, "a center for scientific excellence", is a perfect location for the school.

ICTP Director Fernando Quevedo gave the participants an introduction to the Center's mission and activities and pointed out that ICTP is responding to the current needs of scientists, especially those from developing countries, by organizing schools on crucial issues such as nuclear physics and security.

The interdisciplinary approach of the school has drawn participants with specific career interest in the knowledge of nuclear security, but from varied academic backgrounds, including nuclear physics, nuclear engineering and political science.