Innovative and diverse methods are needed to support the next generation of leaders in nuclear safety, participants agreed at an event today focused on the IAEA’s School on Nuclear and Radiological Leadership for Safety.
The interactive event, which took place on the sidelines of the 66th IAEA General Conference, included individual and group exercises, as participants discussed key issues for sustainable nuclear safety in practice. Aspects highlighted included the need for practice, the importance of insight into group behaviour from diverse points of view, and advanced knowledge in nuclear security and safety culture.
“I have seen participants in these Schools from all over the world – seeing them changing, growing, increasingly sharing their experiences through the case studies and the dynamic activities designed for the school,” said Maria Josefa Moracho, a senior nuclear safety officer at the IAEA and the technical lead for the School. “The success factor in my view is that they are able to learn and share in a safe space. This training programme helps experts and professionals to collaborate and establish connections in the field of nuclear safety.”
The Leadership School has gained an increased interest among countries, she added, emphasizing that the training methods have contributed to a deepening of professional relationships among participants and broader experience sharing. Participants at the side event were given an overview about the Leadership School’s approach of providing participants with “an experiential learning process that they can bring back to their organizations, which includes efforts to share different perspectives on ‘leadership in safety’,” Moracho added.
Participants were introduced to the main reference of the School’s training: IAEA safety requirements Leadership and Management for Safety, GSR Part 2. GSR Part 2 highlights the importance of leadership for safety, management for safety, effective management system and systemic approach to safety. It showcases that all those elements are essential to fostering strong safety culture in nuclear facilities.
“Since its inception, this Leadership School’s potential has grown as a training concept in the field of nuclear safety. It is now a consolidated product that has seen a very positive response from the Member States with a very high demand to host this School both at the national and regional level,” said Shahid Mallick, Director of the IAEA Office of Safety and Security Coordination.
