IRPA- and just why it ' s so important
Many of you reading this will have picked up your copy at the 7th European IRPA Congress in Liverpool. The Congress theme is‘ Encouraging Collaboration in Radiation Protection’ and this sums up one of IRPA’ s key objectives – put simply, we are better together.
What is IRPA?
The International Radiation Protection Association( IRPA) is recognised by its members, stakeholders and the public as the international voice of the radiation protection profession. Membership of IRPA is via national and regional Associate Societies of which there are currently 54 representing 69 countries.
IRPA members cover all fields of radiation protection and range from those in countries with a highly evolved radiation protection infrastructure to smaller countries struggling to develop basic levels of protection. In the UK, The Society for Radiological Protection is the Associate member affiliated to IRPA and, in consultation with other UK societies with an interest( termed Partner Societies), represents UK radiation protection professionals.
What does IRPA do?
• Promotes excellence in radiation protection
• Liaises with many international organisations on the development of international recommendations, standards and guidance
• Shares ideas across the membership
• Develops guidance on good practice
• Organises international and regional Congresses
• Runs webinars and workshops
• Supports the next generation through its Young Generation Network
• Supports early career radiation protection professionals from developing countries to attend its regional and world congresses via The Montreal Fund( created in 1995 by the Canadian Radiation Protection Association with the proceeds of the IRPA8 World Congress held in Montreal in 1992).
• Encourages and supports the development of societies in countries where they do not yet exist
The IRPA Executive Committee pictured last October at the ICRP 2025 Conference in Abu Dhabi. Pictured L to R: Cameron Jeffries( Australia), Sig Magnússon( Iceland), Ana Maria Bomben( Argentina), Claire-Louise Chapple( UK), Bernard Le Guen( France), Chris Clement( Canada), Eduardo Gallego( Spain), Michiya Sasaki( Japan), Dave Niven( Canada), Kevin Nelson( USA) and Hielke-Freerk Boersma( Netherlands) with Assistant to the IRPA EC, Sara Dumit. Seven members are here this week at the Liverpool Congress. Visit Stand 5 in the Exhibition if you ' d like to have a chat with any of them.
8 Radiation Protection Today www. srp-rpt. uk