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World Nuclear University
[last updated January 19, 2007 7:18 AM]
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General Information
Partnership website(s) |
Expected TimeframeSeptember 2003 - Open Ended |
Partners
Governments:
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Major Groups:
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UN System:
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Other intergovernmental organizations:
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Other:
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Thematic Focus
Primary Themes:
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Secondary Themes:
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Geographic Coverage
Geographic Scope: Global
Country(ies) where the partnership is being implemented: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America |
National Focal Points
This partnership has not made any contact with the national focal points for sustainable development in the countries involved
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Goals and Objectives
Summary of the partnership's goals and objectives
The mission of the World Nuclear University (WNU) is to strengthen the international community of people and institutions so as to guide and further develop:
- The safe and increasing use of nuclear power as the one proven technology able to produce clean energy on a large global scale; and
- The many valuable applications of nuclear science and technology that contribute to sustainable agriculture, medicine, nutrition, industrial development, management of fresh water resources and environmental protection.
Through a worldwide network that coordinates, supports and draws on the strengths of established institutions of nuclear learning, the WNU promotes academic rigour and high professional ethics in all phases of nuclear activity, from fuel and isotope supply to decommissioning and waste management.
While looking to the future, the WNU will strengthen capabilities to manage, and responsibly dispose of, the waste legacy of early weapons and power programmes in compliance with rigorous standards of custodianship and environmental protection.
- The safe and increasing use of nuclear power as the one proven technology able to produce clean energy on a large global scale; and
- The many valuable applications of nuclear science and technology that contribute to sustainable agriculture, medicine, nutrition, industrial development, management of fresh water resources and environmental protection.
Through a worldwide network that coordinates, supports and draws on the strengths of established institutions of nuclear learning, the WNU promotes academic rigour and high professional ethics in all phases of nuclear activity, from fuel and isotope supply to decommissioning and waste management.
While looking to the future, the WNU will strengthen capabilities to manage, and responsibly dispose of, the waste legacy of early weapons and power programmes in compliance with rigorous standards of custodianship and environmental protection.
Targets and Progress
Partnership targetsWNU activities underway or in preparation include:
- Leadership development institutes for young and senior professionals - Policy forums for nuclear policy-makers and leaders - Scientific seminars involving world-class experts on policy-relevant topics - Specialized training in key professional skills - Projects to strengthen worldwide education and high ethical standards in various nuclear-related disciplines. |
Progress against targetsTwo 6-week full-time courses have been held (2005 in USA and 2006 in Sweden) within the leadership development institutes, with a third scheduled for summer 2007 in the Republic of Korea. 166 individuals have participated in the program so far, with representation from a total of 42 countries; and another 110 highly qualified young professionals will attend the 6-week event in July-August 2007.
Meanwhile, various task groups, comprised of international experts, are at work on other WNU projects to strengthen education and leadership in nuclear science and technology. A WNU training school in environmentally sound Uranium mining techniques has been established in the Czech Republic and held its first courses in September 2006. |
Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
- Human resources development/training
- Education/building awareness
- Institutional strengthening, including local participation
- Technology transfer/exchange
Relationship to International Agreements on Sustainable Development
How the partnership contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
By participating in the WNU partnership, all sectors - governmental bodies, the UN system, non-governmental organizations, inter-governmental organizations, academic institutions and the commercial sector - are able to combine efforts to share best practices, knowledge and skills internationally. The WNU serves as a forum for capacity building and technology transfer in both industry and public educational systems. (Agenda 21, Chapter 36 - PROMOTING EDUCATION, PUBLIC AWARENESS AND TRAINING, Chapter 38 - INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS; JPOI, paragraph 106)
Through its leadership development courses and professional training programme, the WNU trains and educates participants from all over the world. So far, 174 individuals from 43 countries have received world-class education and training in topics and technologies related to the nuclear industry. The lecturers and instructors come from more than 20 different countries, and the facilities that have been used are located in four different countries. (Agenda 21, Chapter 34 - TRANSFER OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGY, COOPERATION AND CAPACITY-BUILDING; JPOI paragraphs 62 & 76)
In the WNU 6-week leadership development course, one week is devoted to lectures and discussions on global energy demand and supply, climate change, atmospheric pollution and clean water shortage. The programme also covers the role nuclear technologies can play in addressing these issues. (Agenda 21, Chapter 9 - PROTECTION OF THE ATMOSPHERE, Chapter 18 - PROTECTION OF THE QUALITY AND SUPPLY OF FRESHWATER RESOURCES: APPLICATION OF INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO THE DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT AND USE OF WATER RESOURCES, Chapter 35 - SCIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT; JPOI paragraphs 26, 38, 39)
Through its lectures and forum discussions on environmental issues facing the global community, WNU raises awareness on these topics among present and future business leaders and policymakers. (Agenda 21, Chapter 2 - INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO ACCELERATE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND RELATED DOMESTIC POLICIES, Chapter 8 - INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT IN DECISION-MAKING, Chapter 30 - STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY)
A theme of WNU activities is promoting the very highest levels of skill, motivation and ethics in the world's existing nuclear facilities and in the long-term work of decommissioning and waste management. (Agenda 21, Chapter 22 - SAFE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES)
One programme in WNU focuses on teaching best practices and operations in mining techniques - aiming to minimize environmental impact, decrease health risks and improve economics. (JPOI, paragraph 46)
Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
Through its leadership development courses and professional training programme, the WNU trains and educates participants from all over the world. So far, 174 individuals from 43 countries have received world-class education and training in topics and technologies related to the nuclear industry. The lecturers and instructors come from more than 20 different countries, and the facilities that have been used are located in four different countries. (Agenda 21, Chapter 34 - TRANSFER OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGY, COOPERATION AND CAPACITY-BUILDING; JPOI paragraphs 62 & 76)
In the WNU 6-week leadership development course, one week is devoted to lectures and discussions on global energy demand and supply, climate change, atmospheric pollution and clean water shortage. The programme also covers the role nuclear technologies can play in addressing these issues. (Agenda 21, Chapter 9 - PROTECTION OF THE ATMOSPHERE, Chapter 18 - PROTECTION OF THE QUALITY AND SUPPLY OF FRESHWATER RESOURCES: APPLICATION OF INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO THE DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT AND USE OF WATER RESOURCES, Chapter 35 - SCIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT; JPOI paragraphs 26, 38, 39)
Through its lectures and forum discussions on environmental issues facing the global community, WNU raises awareness on these topics among present and future business leaders and policymakers. (Agenda 21, Chapter 2 - INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO ACCELERATE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND RELATED DOMESTIC POLICIES, Chapter 8 - INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT IN DECISION-MAKING, Chapter 30 - STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY)
A theme of WNU activities is promoting the very highest levels of skill, motivation and ethics in the world's existing nuclear facilities and in the long-term work of decommissioning and waste management. (Agenda 21, Chapter 22 - SAFE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES)
One programme in WNU focuses on teaching best practices and operations in mining techniques - aiming to minimize environmental impact, decrease health risks and improve economics. (JPOI, paragraph 46)
Relevant Sections of Agenda 21
International cooperation to accelerate sustainable development in developing countries and related domestic policies; Integrating environment and development in decision-making; Protection of the atmosphere; Protection of the quality and supply of freshwater resources: application of integrated approaches to the development, management and use of water resources; Safe and environmentally sound management of radioactive wastes; Strengthening the role of business and industry; Transfer of environmentally sound technology, cooperation and capacity-building; Science for sustainable development; Promoting education, public awareness and training; International institutional arrangements
Relevant Sections of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation Protection and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development ; Sustainable development for Africa ; Sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean; Sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific; Sustainable development in the West Asia region; Sustainable development in the Economic Commission for Europe region; Means of implementation
Coordination and Implementation
Coordination Mechanism of the PartnershipThe WNU pursues its mission through a small multinational secretariat located at the WNU Coordinating Centre (WNUCC) in London. Operationally, the WNUCC fosters cooperation among the WNUâ??s diverse partners. The WNUCC secretariat is composed of professionals seconded by government agencies and corporate enterprises. These secondments equip the WNUCC with a global perspective and enable the WNUCC secretariat to interact smoothly with nuclear and educational institutions of key countries.
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Implementation Mechanism of the PartnershipIn operation, the WNU's philosophy is one of exploration, as its academic, industry and governmental supporters and participants collaborate in a creative search for effective cooperation. Partnership participants volunteer to organize and host events connected to the various WNU activities. Planning and execution of these events are done through cooperation between the WNU Coordination Centre and the local hosts.
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Resources
Funding Currently AvailableAmount in US$: 2000000
Source(s): Government - Private sector - IGO - NGO
The WNU is a non-profit corporation, to which industry and philanthropic donors are invited to contribute, and it receives programmatic support from the IAEA and national governments. The four founding supporters (IAEA, NEA, WANO and WNA) are responsible for the sustainability of the partnership, and its sources for funding are major companies from the private sector. |
Non-financial resources availableType(s): Computers - Office space - Staff
Source(s): Government - Private sector
World Nuclear Association provides office space and administration, while government agencies and corporate enterprises provide staff for the WNU Coordinating Centre. Currently, there are voluntary seconded staff from the governments and private sectors in the Republic of Korea (2), France, United States of America and Russia |
Funding SoughtRequired Amount in US$:
Source(s) already approached:
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Non-financial resources soughtRequirement(s):
Source(s) approached and details:
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Additional Information
Additional Relevant Information
WNU will continuously update this section as more events take place. Currently preparations are under way for the third Summer Institute. It will take place in the Republic of Korea this summer with 110 participants from 35 countries.