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Cooperation with international organizations is one of the NIRS's distinctive features. NIRS sends delegates as committee members to the Scientific Committee of the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) to make proposals and endure its commitment to the development of international standards for radiation protection. Our international cooperation also includes sending experts to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Organization of Economic Cooperation and the Development/Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD/NEA), the Regional Cooperation Agreement (RCA) and the Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA), and holding international conferences with these organizations.
Activities with UNSCEAR
The United Nations established the UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) in 1955, when a series of atmospheric nuclear tests took place, to collect scientific information and establish databases on the effects of atomic radiation on the environment and human health.
UNSCEAR consists of scientists representing 21 member states. Along with scientists from Sweden, the United States, United Kingdom and other countries, scientists from Japan have taken part in UNSCEAR activities since its establishment, and have provided valuable scientific information regarding atomic bomb survivors' health effects and environmental radioactivity. NIRS supports the UNSCEAR's activities in cooperation with researchers at other Japanese institutions comprising Japan Expert Panel for UNSCEAR. Dr. Yasuhito Sasaki, then-president of the NIRS, served as chairman of UNSCEAR for 2004-2005.
IAEA and RCA
- Coordinated Research Projects (CRP)
Under research agreements with the IAEA, NIRS is engaged in research projects that form the IAEA's Co-ordinated Research projects (CRPs).
- IAEA Collaborating Centre
NIRS was designated as an IAEA Collaborating Center on January 23, 2006. In cooperation with the IAEA, we continue to promote studies of low-dose radiation effects, which has been one of the institute's primary research areas since its foundation. The NIRS contributes to progress and development in this important field, and in close contact with organizations in other countries. It is expected that the results of these studies will contribute to formulating rational standards and regulations regarding radiation protection.
- Training Courses
NIRS organizes training courses on radiation applications and safety for experts of developing countries, under the Asian Atomic Energy Regional Cooperation Agreement (RCA), in cooperation with IAEA. RCA is an intergovernmental agreement comprising 17 member states in the East and Pacific region, supported by IAEA as the secretariat. The list below is the training courses hosted by NIRS since 2001.
| FY |
Dates |
Title |
| 2001 |
20-24 Aug 2001 |
IAEA/RCA Regional Training Course on Medical Preparedness and Medical Response to Radiation Accidents |
| 10-14 Sep 2001 |
IAEA/RCA Regional Training Course on Radiobiology and Physical Aspects of Brachytherapy in Uterine Cervical Cancer |
| 2002 |
24-28 Feb 2002 |
IAEA/RCA Regional Training Workshop on Myocardial Scintigraphy for Nuclear Medicine Physicians (RAS/6/028) |
| 1-5 Jul 2002 |
IAEA/RCA Regional Training Course on Clinical Aspects of Brachytherapy in Uterine Cervical Cancer (RAS/6/035) |
| 2003 |
1-5 Dec 2003 |
IAEA/RCA Regional Training Course on Clinical and Technological Aspects of Brachytherapy in Uterine Cervix Cancer (RAS/6/037) |
| 2004 |
1-5 Mar 2004 |
IAEA/RCA Workshop on Medical Management for Radiation Accident (RAS/9/029) |
| 12-16 Jul 2004 |
IAEA/RCA Regional Training Course on Clinical Quality Assurance of Brachytherapy for Predominant Cancers in Asia (RAS6037) |
| 2005 |
4-7 Apr 2005 |
IAEA/RCA Nuclear Project Planning Meeting on Tumour Imaging Using Radioisotopes (RAS/6/042) |
| 20 -24 Jun 2005 |
IAEA/RCA Regional Training Course on Brachytherapy in the xComprehensive Management of Lung Cancer (RAS/6/040) |
| 2006 |
15-19 May 2006 |
IAEA/RCA Regional Training Course on Radiation Biology for Radiation Oncology (RAS/6/040) |
| 23-27 Oct 2006 |
IAEA/RCA Regional Training Course on Brachytherapy of Gastrointestinal Malignancies - beyond Palliation (RAS/6040) |
| 13-17 Nov 2006 |
IAEA/RCA Regional Training Course on PET for Oncologists, Neurologists and Hematologists (RAS/6/42) |
| 13-17 Nov 2006 |
IAEA International Workshop & NSC Symposium on Radiation Emergency Medical Preparedness in Asia |
| 2007 |
10-14 Sep 2007 |
IAEA/RCA Regional Training Course on Optical Management of Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer |
| 31Mar - 4 Apr 2008 |
IAEA/RCA Final Progress Review Meeting on Tumour Imaging Using Radioisotopes (RAS6042) |
| 2009 |
20-24 Apr 2009 |
IAEA/RCA Regional Training Course on Advanced Clinical Applications of PET |
IAEA/RCA Regional Training Course on Advanced Clinical Applications of PET (NIRS, Apr 2009) |
IAEA/RCA Regional Training Workshop on Myocardial Scintigraphy for Nuclear Medicine Physicians (NIRS, February 2002) |
Also, NIRS staff members contribute their expertise by participating in various meetings of the IAEA including the following.
- ICRU/IAEA meeting on prescribing recording and reporting proton beam therapy
- IAEA/ICRU Technical meeting on RBE of protons and heavier ions
- 26th IAEA/RCA National Representatives Meeting
- IAEA/RCA Thematic Lead Country Coordinators Meeting
IAEA/RCA Project Planning Conference (Bangladesh)
IAEA/RCA project planning conference : NIRS staff participated in the recently completed IAEA/RCA Project on Reference Asian Man (1995-2004), and NIRS itself served the " Central Reference Laboratory " for this project. For more details click here.
http://www.iso.org/iso/home.htm |
ICRP
From July 2001 to June 2005, then-president of the NIRS Dr. Sasaki served as a member of the Main Commission of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).
Other organization cooperating with NIRS
NIRS also cooperates with FNCA, WHO-REMPAN, OECD/NEA, ICRU, ISO, IEC, etc.
| <FNCA> |
Workshop of Forum for Nuclear Co-operation in Asia
(in 2002 at NIRS) |
NIRS works with some of the Asian countries to improve radiotherapy for cervical cancer and nsasopharyngeal cancer in Asia, through the Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA). In cooperation with Japan Atomic Industral Forum, Inc., NIRS held " FNCA 2002 Workshop on Radiation Onclogy " and " FNCA 2004 Mini-workshop on Radiation Oncology for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) ". |