News and key events for young nuclear professionals

Earlier in the year, WANO Paris Centre hosted the 2019 Young Generation Exchange Assembly with participants from members and the four regional centres. The objectives of the first two days were to use 30 years of WANO as a starting point to discuss the future of the nuclear industry and of WANO. Jean Paul Joly and Jacques Freydier led discussions on developing the experience and skills necessary to be nuclear industry leaders in 10 years from now. The assembly finished with a station visit at Gösgen Nuclear Power Plant in Switzerland focusing on life span extension.

WANO has awarded three scholarships for the World Nuclear University Summer Institute that will be held in Romania and Switzerland in June and July 2019. WANO supports members by offering these scholarships annually to promote knowledge transfer and networking between experienced workers and young professionals. The WNU Summer Institute is an intensive, 270 hour leadership development programme held annually in different locations. It offers dynamic lectures, topical presentations, field trips to nuclear and industrial facilities, social events and team projects led by some of the world’s foremost experts.

The annual meeting of the Nuclear Energy Assembly (NEA), North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN) and the Nuclear Suppliers Expo are being held together from 3-5 June 2019. This conference is the place to network and gain inspiration to innovate and learn about the future of the industry.

WANO Moscow Centre will commemorate the 65th anniversary of the opening of the world’s first nuclear power plant in Obninsk from 25-28 June 2019. This will include a working meeting for young generation representatives, a roundtable on ‘The future of WANO: Participation of the Young Generation in the Fulfilling of WANO’s mission’ and a technical tour.

WANO Tokyo Centre is holding a WANO Young Generation Initiative Meeting alongside a Plant Managers’ Meeting from October 2-4 2019. This will allow knowledge transfer and networking between experienced leaders and young professionals. WANO Tokyo Centre also provides WNU scholarships for its members, and the winners take part in other WANO young generation events and activities.

WANO is marking its 30th anniversary throughout 2019. The WANO 2019 Biennial General Meeting will have the theme of ‘30 Years of WANO, Generating a Safer Future Together’ and will take place in London from 21-23 October 2019. It will reflect on the last 30 years and look forward to what needs to be done in the future to improve performance.  Sessions include presentations from industry experts and interactive panel discussions, including a session for the young generation. Please note that the BGM is an invitation-only event and registrations are subject to approval.

The International Youth Nuclear Congress (IYNC) and the Australian Young Generation in Nuclear (AusYGN) will hold the IYNC2020 conference in Sydney, Australia in March 2020. Under the theme ‘Diversity in Nuclear’, the aim of the conference is to promote and enable the diversity of people engaged in the many peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.