Nuclear Education and Training as Fundamental Prerequisites for Successful Implementation of the Code and the Guidance in Small 'Non-Nuclear' States: Example of Montenegro

Successful implementation of international norms on the safety and security of radioactive sources — as summarized in the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources and its associated Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources — requires a number of prerequisites for the State, including adequate legal, institutional, financial, technical and human resources. Among these, it is often taken for granted that necessary knowledge and competence do exist per se. However, this is not always the case — just the contrary, time, effort and resources are frequently wasted because these fundaments are not set solid at first. The state of the matter in Montenegro is discussed, particularly circumstances leading to the establishment of the Centre for Nuclear Competence and Knowledge Management, aimed to be the State's hub of expertise for all radiation and nuclear related issues. (author)