Background
In December 2020 and April 2021, WINS organized two virtual Roundtables on Strengthening the Coordination of International Stakeholders (Programmes and Organisations) involved in the Adoption of Alternative Technologies to Radioactive Sources. The main objective of these roundtables was to bring together influential international organisations and individual experts involved in the implementation of alternative technologies to review ongoing activities and better understand the missions of various international programmes and organisations. It was also an opportunity for participating organisations and experts to better know each other and identify gaps and opportunities for enhancing their respective coordination and contributions.
These roundtables demonstrated the diversity of international stakeholders involved in the development, procurement, commissioning, and disposal of radiation-generating equipment (isotopic or non-isotopic). However, the participants noted that the information regarding the activities conducted by international stakeholders is fragmented and not easily accessible. It was agreed that appropriate access to this information is a prerequisite for identifying possible duplication of efforts or conflicting priorities, reviewing coordination mechanisms, and offering suggestions for improvement, if necessary.
Therefore, with the support of Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL) and the DOE Office of Radiological Security (ORS), WINS initiated a task to map out the international stakeholders involved in the manufacture, procurement, and development (outside of manufacturer development) of non-radioisotopic or alternative technologies, capacity-building initiatives, and end-of-life management of disused sources. For practical reasons, these efforts were focused on medical applications. As a result of these efforts, a draft report was produced in early November 2021. This report will be embedded into a final report on the coordination of international stakeholders to be published by WINS in April 2022.
In order to support the drafting of the final report and wrap up the project initiated late 2020, WINS organised a 3rd roundtable on January 27th, 2022.
Objectives
The purpose of the Roundtable was to provide an opportunity to continue the discussions initiated in December 2020 and April 2021. The main objective of this event was to review international stakeholders’ coordination and cooperation practices to identify potential issues and to suggest solutions that can help avoid duplication of initiatives or conflicting objectives. The discussions focused on the applications of radiation technologies in the medical sector, in particular for cancer therapy.
KEY ISSUES
- Preventing duplication of efforts between international projects
- Ensuring a successful adoption of alternative technologies and proper management of disused radioactive sources, when applicable
- Supporting the effective and sustainable use of alternative technologies
- Optimising the use of international resources and providing the best collective contribution
OUTLINE OF THE EVENT
The diversity of international stakeholders and the importance of their coordination
- To highlight the diversity of international stakeholders (i.e. organisations and programmes) involved in the development, procurement, commissioning, and disposal of radiation-generating equipment (isotopic and non-isotopic) used in medical applications
- To develop a better understanding of the information these stakeholders need to receive or provide to effectively achieve their objectives
- To review the benefits of an effective coordination and to assess the risks in case of coordination gaps
Involvement and coordination of international stakeholders: reviewing selected examples
- To review real life examples of successful or more challenging coordination
- To identify usual barriers to coordination and possible solutions
- To identify prerequisites and good practices for effective coordination
Strengthening the coordination of international stakeholders: Developing a way forward
- To suggest specific opportunities for improvement
- To identify a way to sustain the discussion and ensure that the coordination topic remains a priority
PRESENTATIONS
Audience
The roundtable was by invitation only. It was open to selected attendees of the December 2020 and April 2021 Roundtables and to invited representatives from:
- International organisations and initiatives, including those funding relevant projects in the medical sector
- Medical organisations using high activity radioactive sources and/or alternative technologies
- Manufacturers of alternative technology devices and associated R&D organisations
- International medical associations
- Regulatory authorities and other governmental organisations.
Process
Date: Thursday, 27 January 2022 from 15:00-18:30 (CET)
Language: English
Online: Zoom
