•	Programme and Abstracts (pdf file)
•	Prof. Sach's Keynote
•	Dr. ElBaradei's Statement
•	Session reports: • Opening • Food & Water • Health • Closing
•	Final Oral Report

Technology—Development—Partnership
Nuclear Technology in the Context of Meeting Human Needs to Foster Sustainable Development

Through presentations, discussions, and a concluding panel, the Scientific Forum examined nuclear technology in the context of meeting human needs to foster sustainable development. Reflecting on this, Margaret Catley-Carlson, moderator of the panel offered some thoughts and observations on the two-day Forum.

"What has clearly come home to me once again is that technology is not a silver bullet. It has to be delivered in a complete package—in the context of delivery and development programmes," Ms. Catley-Carlson noted during a brief interview.

Whether technology, such as sterile insect technique, newborn screening, isotope hydrology, will work depends not just on the technology, but also whether it will work in the local context. So effectiveness of the delivery of programmes at the local level becomes central to whether the technology will be used and ultimately accepted in a country.

"The development of partnerships is key—not just that there are partners, but the choice of partner is equally important. They must be effective."

The challenge for the IAEA, as an agency that does not itself directly deliver services at the local level, is to establish partnership relationships with the full range of organizations that do. There is a risk of become too focused on technology, rather than finding solutions to real problems.

"The Agency has been the source of remarkable scientific advances. When you develop such technology and try to make it available, even for free, you have to find which programme to attach it to. This needs a high level of skill, equivalent to those used in developing the techniques."

Introducing nuclear technology can involve unique challenges and sometimes clear obstacles. To respond to this?

"Persevere. If you are doing the right thing. But first you must examine your preceps [preconceived plan] and this all leads back to partnerships—you need their input and advice to succeed."

--Ms. Catley-Carlson is the Chair of the Global Water Partnership and Past President of the Canadian International Development Agency and Population Council.