Session IV Education and training, research infrastructures and international cooperation
Chair, Daniela LULACHE (OECD/NEA, FR), Head of Office of Policy and Coordination, co-chair, Foivos MARIAS (DG RTD, EC), Project and Policy Officer, Gérard COGNET (FR), Expert rapporteur
Nuclear safety remains, as always, the top priority and the European Union has an outstanding nuclear safety record. However, research must continue to maintaining the highest level of nuclear safety, security and safeguards. The European nuclear sector is characterised by cutting edge technology and provides several hundred thousand people with highly skilled employment. To ensure our safety both now and in the future skilled people and well-equipped nuclear research facilities are of paramount importance. The availability of these resources is a crucial prerequisite for maintaining safety no matter what the future holds for the nuclear power sector. Europe can retain its technological leadership only if Member States maintain a diverse and well-funded nuclear R&D capability, a fit-for-purpose system for the education and training of scientists and engineers, availability of state-of-the-art research infrastructures, and reinforced international cooperation in key strategic areas with leading third countries, bilaterally or multilaterally. EU/Euratom helps to stimulate joint funding from Member States and/or enterprises, joint programming and dialogue at EU level, cross-cutting fission/fusion/non-nuclear innovative initiatives and benefits are being capitalised from the increasing interaction between European technology platforms, EU stakeholder fora, as well as International Organisations such as OECD/NEA and IAEA.