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20th INPRO Dialogue Forum on Challenges and Issues in Capacity Building for Ensuring Nuclear Energy Sustainable Development
International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO)

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​27–31 March 2023 | Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA

The INPRO Dialogue Forums offer a platform for technology holders, technology users and other stakeholders to share information, perspectives and knowledge on issues related to sustainable nuclear energy development. The Dialogue Forums focus not only on technology, but also institutional aspects, such as market resources, effects of regulation, public acceptance and contribution to sustainable development.​


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Following a period of flat growth, the nuclear energy sector is again expanding, leading to an increasing demand placed on the pool of highly trained technical professionals world-wide. The previous period of flat growth has precipitated fewer graduates entering nuclear education programmes, as well as fewer experienced staff available to share their experience and knowledge as part of an on-going skills training pipeline. This has resulted in the need for greater capacity building in the nuclear sector, be that the establishment of new nuclear engineering programmes, development of a regulatory body, development of research expertise or experienced operators and maintenance expertise.​

It is worth noting that in the IAEA definition (Building Capacity for Nuclear Security, 2018), capacity building includes several key elements such as education, training, exercises, awareness raising, workforce management, knowledge management and knowledge networks. Capacity building programmes require the active involvement of government, regulatory bodies, industry, academia, research and development organizations and technical and scientific support organizations. The specific competency needs of Member States will vary depending on the phase of their nuclear programme. Therefore, it is essential to disseminate good practices and lessons learned with respect to capacity building among academia, policy makers, owner/operators, industry, regulatory bodies, etc from Member States in their diverse phases.

The objectives of this INPRO Dialogue Forum are to:

  • ​​Discuss each of the major elements of capacity building necessary for a safe, secure, reliable and sustainable nuclear energy programme
  • Discuss the national, regional and global level challenges, opportunities and issues in capacity building programmes that impact the sustainability of nuclear energy development
  • Present and discuss the competencies necessary throughout the lifecycle of nuclear energy systems from policy, through construction, operation and decommissioning
  • Identify the mechanisms that can be utilized to achieve the necessary capacity building e.g., university education programmes, training programmes from specialists, staff exchanges, international collaborations, etc.
  • Exchange information, experiences and best practices from related programmes and share lessons learned from different approaches
  • Discuss the timescales and levels of resources necessary to train and deploy a sustainable, trained and experienced workforce.

Working Documents

Presentations​​​

Session I: Opening Remarks and ​Introduction to Capacity Building​

Session II(a): Capacity Building for Newcomers

Session II(b): Capacity Building for Newcomers

Session III(a): Maintaining Current Capacity and Expansion for Future Needs

Session III(b): Maintaining Current Capacity and Expansion for Future Needs​

Closing Session

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