Representatives from two dozen countries recently participated in a workshop in Trieste, Italy, on managing nuclear knowledge. The workshop was jointly organized by the IAEA, the Abduls Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), and the World Nuclear University.
The purpose was to continue efforts to raise awareness of the nuclear knowledge management challenge, to share best practices, and provide a forum for the exchange of information among participating nuclear professionals. The need to manage (preserve and transfer) knowledge has been widely recognized in the international community. The need is compounded by aging work force issues in many industries and is not limited to areas of nuclear technology.
The workshop was attended by 41 participants from 24 counties and three international organizations. Presentations by several of the participants covered a broad range of nuclear knowledge management issues, including the role of technology, preserving expert knowledge, and preparing the new generation of nuclear worker.
At the conclusion of the workshop participants voiced a desire for the continued support by the IAEA, ICTP and World Nuclear University in facilitating future meetings on nuclear knowledge management, assisting organizations in developing effective programs, and providing services from experts in the area of knowledge management.