The international radiation protection school in Stockholm attracts participants from over 20 countries
For five days, at Stockholm University, international early and mid-career radiation protection experts gather to develop their knowledge in radiation protection. The course alternates between theory and practice and provides in-depth knowledge and understanding on the structure and application of the international system for radiation protection.
The International Radiological Protection School – IRPS – is arranged annually by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) in co-operation with the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) and Stockholm University. This year is the sixth time that radiation protection experts from all over the world come to Stockholm to deepen their knowledge of the basics and principles of radiation protection.
Sweden has a long and significant history in radiation protection and has played an important role in establishing international collaborations in the field, not least through the pioneering scientific achievements by the Swedish physicist Rolf Sievert in the early and mid-20th century.
The Director General of SSM Michael Knochenhauer welcomes that the international training is held in Stockholm and emphasizes the importance of strengthening the knowledge in radiation protection not only in Sweden but also globally. Together with the representatives of NEA and Stockholm University, Michael opened the school with an inspiring speech addressing this and other relevant aspects of radiation protection.
“In Sweden, there are extensive activities involving radiation, for instance in medicine, industry, research and nuclear technology – all with different challenges related to radiation protection. It is important to maintain and develop the national competence in radiation protection, but also to continue contributing constructively to international cooperation in the field. IRPS contributes to this, by strengthening the knowledge and by offering the possibility of interacting with an international network of experts”, said Michael Knochenhauer.
About sixty participants from over 20 countries have come to Stockholm to attend the school, which started on Monday 12 August and continued the whole week. Most participants come from European countries, but there were also participants from for example South Korea, Burkina Faso, Peru and Canada. The lectures are given by experienced researchers and experts from various organizations in Sweden and internationally.
The school offers a great width and explores the basic principles of the international framework for radiation protection, various aspects of radiation epidemiology and the systems used to measure and estimate radiation doses, as well as communication and understanding of radiation risks. Particularly urgent areas of development are also explored, such as radiation protection during armed conflicts.
Andrzej Wojcik, professor of radiation biology at the Department of Molecular Biosciences at Stockholm University, is one of the initiators of the school. He believes that the training offered by the school is unique in its field.
“The school provides the radiation protection specialists from different industries and countries the opportunity to learn both from each other and from the many prominent teachers we have brought here to give talks. Discussions on how to handle and address challenges that arise are important for developing radiation protection, something the participants have the opportunity to do throughout the course”, said Andrzej Wojcik.
NEA Director-General William D. Magwood, IV is also in Stockholm and will close the week-long course with a speech on Friday.
Further information: The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority's press service, tel. +46(0)8-799 40 20.