The IAEA has established an international training and educational network aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness and response around the world. At a workshop held from 8 to 11 July 2019 in Vienna, the operational strategy for the International Network for Education and Training in Emergency Preparedness and Response (iNET-EPR) was developed.
The network's membership will be inclusive, engaging Member States that designated national Capacity Building Centres for emergency preparedness and response (CBCs-EPR) to work in partnership with the Agency, Member States that plan to establish such centres, and Member States that join the network to learn and exchange expertise yet do not plan to designate a CBC-EPR.
Khammar Mrabit, Director General of the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security (AMSSNuR) and Chair of the workshop, said “the IAEA Member States have clearly recognised the need for such a network to strengthen capacity building in EPR and maintain sustainability of robust national EPR systems. As a rich resource of academic educators and professional trainers, the CBCs-EPR will help to more efficiently disseminate and harmonize good practices among IAEA Member States to contribute to global efforts to enhance EPR”.
The iNET-EPR will bring together the academic educators and practical trainers who are currently developing and exchanging teaching and training materials. In the future, this network of Centres will support the IAEA as it develops a model curriculum in EPR for a Masters-equivalent programme and other postgraduate offerings.
Capacity Building Centres
Since 2015 the IAEA supports Member States in establishing and maintaining capacity building centres on Emergency Preparedness and Response to ensure the rigor and sustainability of national EPR training. The CBCs-EPR serve as a focal point for EPR knowledge and associated technical skills in countries. CBCs-EPR have been established in Austria, China, Japan (Chiba Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture), Morocco, Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation where EPR experts both receive education and training, as well as actively transfer knowledge on EPR methods, tools, and activities.
