Experts from 11 countries attending radiological protection seminar in Gomel

Twenty three experts from 11 countries are taking part in the international seminar on radiological protection that is taking place in Gomel on 15-19 September. The seminar was organized by the Nuclear Protection Evaluation Center (CEPN) of France and the National Radiology Institute of Belarus, BelTA learned from Andrei Mostovenko, one of the coordinators of the event.

Such a large-scale forum on radiological protection has been conducted in Belarus for the first time. Among the attendees are experts from Switzerland, Italy, France, Belgium, Japan and other states that have a well-developed nuclear energy. The participants of the forum will take part in a training session on nuclear post-accident management. The major goal of the session is to share best practices and work out strategic solutions in the field of nuclear emergency response.

The materials that will be discussed at the seminar are based on Belarus’ experience in post-Chernobyl recovery and Japan’s experience of handling the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster. The participants of the session will also discuss food production management, the health and living conditions of people. “The experts will travel to the areas that were hit by the Chernobyl accident the most. These are Bragin District and Chechersk District of Gomel Oblast. During the trip they will be able to meet and speak with local residents, doctors and environmentalists. For the majority of the delegates this will be the first trip to the areas that were most affected by the Chernobyl disaster,” Andrei Mostovenko said.

The highlight of the seminar will be the visit to the Polesie Radiation and Ecological Reserve. The delegates will be informed about the research projects run by the reserve, the change of the natural environment in the reserve in the post-Chernobyl period. The foreign experts will be able to see the conservation area protected from the human impact.