Need for cooperation among IRPA associate societies in African

Radiation is an inescapable part of the natural environment, and it is also produced artificially for a variety of unique applications in health, environmental studies, industry, etc. Our present and future lifestyles are unsustainable without peaceful applications of radiation technologies. Events around the world continue to indicate an increasing need for nuclear energy. Africa: A high level African Regional Conference on the contribution of Nuclear Energy to Peace and Sustainable Development (January 2007, Algiers), recommended that African countries should promote the acquisition of scientific know-how and the necessary infrastructure for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. This recommendation was adopted by the Executive council of Ministers during the 8th African Union (AU) summit of January 2007. 6 Many countries in Africa have established nuclear energy and radiation facilities for research and applications in many fields, including Agriculture, Medicine, Security, Industry, etc. There is now a new Nuclear power renaissance in Africa. However, in order to derive the full benefits of nuclear energy and radiation technologies, certain protective measures must be established and used correctly Radiation Protection. Radiation Protection in Africa .. At various stages of development, but generally: While the use of ionizing radiation is advancing in many countries in Africa, this is not accompanied by a corresponding effort to ensure radiation protection Constraints: Inadequacies in government support e.g. legislation, training and education; radiation protection infrastructures; Lack of radiation protection professionalism e.g. network and cooperation among RP Professionals and between them and other stakeholders; etc. Some of the pressing needs Strengthening RP infrastructures in Africa; Establishing effective and sustainable cooperation and networks among RP professionals (flow of RP information); Interacting with other stakeholders (governmental, nongovernmental, professional organizations, etc.); Education and Training; Publications; Motivation/Potential immediate Benefits Bid for Africa (South Africa) to host IRPA 14,2016; Representation in IRPA Executive Council; Conclusions/Proposals There is need for the formation of National and sub-regional Associations for RP in all parts of Africa; Network and co-operation among the Associations with possibility of an Africa IRPA Partnership of Africa IRPA with relevant Africa initiatives and association, e.g., ALARA Network, FNRBA, FAMPO, etc. They should also interact directly with the Africa Union or indirectly through the relevant organs, e.g. NEPAD, AFRA, etc