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SPOTLIGHT ON:

The Romanian Nuclear Energy Association (AREN)

ENS Member, the Romanian Nuclear Energy Association (AREN) seized the opportunities presented by the ‘Romanian Nuclear Energy Days’ – from 22 October to 20 November last year – to promote the future development of nuclear energy both nationally and internationally.

Joining forces with the Romanian Nuclear Forum (ROMATOM), AREN organised a number of events during this period. The highlights of these were the International Symposium on Nuclear Energy – SIEN ’03 – in Bucharest on 22-25 October, and a children’s art competition which demonstrated Romanian youth’s keen interest in nuclear energy.

SIEN ’03 – New Challenges for Nuclear Power

SIEN ’03 - whose main aim was analysing the new challenges facing nuclear power in the near future, in the context of sustainable development – was a great success. Attracting some 125 participants – ranging from the nuclear expert community to those who are generally interested in current trends in nuclear power - the symposium had also, as organiser, the University ‘Politehnica’ of Bucharest, and the ENS as sponsor.

Such was the interest in the event that a total of 95 papers were presented at its five sessions. These sessions focused on: the prospects of nuclear power, its operation, nuclear engineering and research, the young generation in the context of nuclear knowledge management, and public acceptance.

In his welcoming address, Teodor Chirica, an executive director and former president of AREN, who is also ROMATOM’s current secretary general, had set the tone for SIEN ‘03’s success. Expressing his optimistic view of the symposium’s outcomes, Mr Chirica stressed nuclear’s role “in the plans for improving future lives not only in our country, but also in the European community and at a global level.”

Looking to the future in the Romanian context, he emphasised that the aim was to grow nuclear’s current 10 percent share of electricity generation to 25 percent from 2011 to 2015. “We supply a safe, non-polluting and competitive energy,” said Mr Chirica. “All this is not only due to the efforts of the company operating the Cernavoda NPP, but also to the support of the educational, design and research infrastructure. And, last but not least, it is attributable to the industrial infrastructure.”

Providing the symposium with a truly international flavour and one of its highlights was Adrian Collings, director of policy development at the World Nuclear Association (WNA), who spoke on ‘The World Nuclear University (WNU) and its Role in the Future Development of Nuclear Energy’. Mr Collings, who also wrapped up the symposium with concluding remarks, heaped praise on the Romanian nuclear industry.

“I have been struck forcibly over the past days by the extent to which the nuclear industry in Romania is outward-looking, by its strong international orientation and the willing openness to new ideas,” he stated. “I leave the symposium with one lasting impression. It is of an industry with a real sense of purpose and direction, and an industry that is fully committed to, and confident about, its future.”

Peter Haug of the joint ENS/FORATOM secretariat was represented by Sami Tulonen. Dr Haug had submitted the paper ‘Nuclear Energy’s Status and Its Prospects in an Enlarged European Union (EU)’. “The audience’s enthusiasm for EU-accession related issues was gratifying,” says Mr Tulonen who presented the paper.

Romanian Children’s National Palace Art Exhibition

- Proof of Children’s Interest in Nuclear Energy

The ninth annual contest and exhibition of art by children aged 6-17, hosted by the Children’s National Palace in Budapest, and organised by AREN and ROMATOM, attracted entries from all over Romania.

In November, about 100 drawings, inspired by topics such as ‘Nuclear Energy Saves the Environment’, ‘What Do We Know about Energy?’, ‘The Atom – Our Friend’ and ‘The Energy of the Future’, were exhibited. AREN announced the best drawings on 4 November. The special prize for the best drawing went to a work entitled: ‘In the Beginning There Was … the Atom’, and was presented by ROMATOM.

In November, about 100 drawings, inspired by topics such as ‘Nuclear Energy Saves the Environment’, ‘What Do We Know about Energy?’, ‘The Atom – Our Friend’ and ‘The Energy of the Future’, were exhibited. AREN announced the best drawings on 4 November. The special prize for the best drawing went to a work entitled: ‘In the Beginning There Was … the Atom’, and was presented by ROMATOM.

Fact Billboard – The Romanian Nuclear Energy Association (AREN)· Established in 1990.· 250 Individual members and over 10 ‘collective’ members representing the national nuclear industry.· Co-operation agreements with similar organisations in Bulgaria, France, the USA and Canada.Mission:· informing officials, local administration and the general public about nuclear power and its development;· promoting modern technologies within the national nuclear industry; and· providing support for the national nuclear power programme.

AREN’s mission:

• informing officials, local
  administration and the general
  public about nuclear power and its development;

• promoting modern technologies within the
  national nuclear industry; and

• providing support for the
  national nuclear power
  programme.