Technical Meeting on the Coordination of the ALMERA Network
Ottawa, Canada
16–18 October 2013
Conference ID:
44699
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Meeting hosted by the
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission,
Directorate of Environmental and Radiation Protection and Assessment,
Environmental Compliance and Laboratory Service Division
BACKGROUND
ALMERA (Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity) is a worldwide network of analytical laboratories, established by the IAEA. Through methodological and data quality support received from the IAEA and collaborative method development and validation, ALMERA member laboratories are able to provide internationally acceptable radioanalytical data in normal situations as well as in case of accidental or intentional releases of radioactivity, as requested by their nominating authorities.
The ALMERA network holds annual coordination meetings to discuss the implementation of planned activities and to define future activities of the network.
Within this context, ALMERA laboratories representatives are invited to attend the 10th Coordination meeting of the ALMERA network, to be held from 16 to 18 October 2013 in Ottawa, Canada.
OBJECTIVES OF THE MEETING
The objective of the meeting is to review ALMERA activities and to define a future work plan for developing ALMERA activities in the field of recommended radioanalytical methods, reference materials and proficiency testing, methodologies supporting environmental routine and emergency monitoring and radioecological assessment.
The specific objectives of the Meeting are:
-To present and discuss ALMERA proficiency test results and related proposals
-To discuss the current status and plans for recommended analytical procedures developed within the ALMERA network
-To discuss means for communication and data sharing and exchange among ALMERA laboratories in case of emergency situation,
-To identify work plans and proposals of the ALMERA regional groups and task groups
- To review and update the general ALMERA work plan
SCOPE AND FORMAT OF THE MEETING
The Meeting will provide an opportunity to undertake, at the senior technical level, a thorough review of the plan for ALMERA future activities. The Meeting will also discuss how to increase the role of regional coordination centres in mobilizing the network experience, encouraging exchange of expertise and supporting capacity building at regional level.
The Meeting will consist of a Plenary Session and Working Sessions for Regional Groups and for Task Groups. The Plenary Session will include presentations by ALMERA members on developments of radioanalytical methods, quality systems and relevant monitoring and assessment projects in their laboratories and by national experts nominated by the host. The Proposals and summaries of each Regional Working Group will be presented at the Plenary Session on 18 October 2013.
The draft meeting agenda is attached.
WORKING LANGUAGE
The meeting will be held in English only. No interpretation will be provided.
PARTICIPATION
All ALMERA representatives wishing to attend the Meeting should be nominated by their Government (Ministry of Foreign Affairs or National Atomic Energy Authority). Nomination for participation (Form A) should be received by the IAEA not later than 30 August 2013.
The final list of participants will be approved by 3 September 2013 and the confirmation of acceptance will be sent to the participants by the end of that week.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Please be informed that the Meeting attendance is free of charge to the ALMERA members. However, members participation is at no cost to the IAEA (accommodation, travel costs and all the expenses shall be covered by participants’ institutes), with the exception of a limited number of grants, which will be made available to applicants from developing Member States.
The grant application (Form C) should be received by the IAEA no later than 30 August 2013. No grant application will be considered after this date.
LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS
It is the responsibility of all participants to make their own travel arrangements to/from Canada. The meeting will be held at Lord Elgin Hotel Ottawa in Ottawa, Canada. The meeting will start on Wednesday, 16 October 2013 at 8:30 and will end on Friday, 18 October 2013 at 17:30. Logistical information provided by the host is attached. Further details on accommodation, local transport to/from the meeting venue, and other organisational details, will be sent to all designated participants by the host in due course. The CNSC contact person for further information is:
Mr P. Pan
Environmental Compliance and Laboratory Services Division
Directorate of Environmental and Radiation Protection and Assessment
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
3484 Limebank Road
Ottawa, ON Canada K1V 1E1
Telephone: +1 613 998 4343
Mobile: +1 613 866 6809
Fax: +1 613 995 5086
Email: Pujing.Pan@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
VISA
Designated participants who require a visa to enter Canada should submit the necessary application to the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of Canada well in advance of entry. An official letter of invitation will be issued to all designated participants by the IAEA Meeting Secretary.
MEETING SCIENTIFIC SECRETARY
Ms I. Osvath
Radiometrics Laboratory
IAEA Environment Laboratories, Monaco
Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications
Telephone: +377 9797 7223
Fax: +377 9797 7273
Email: i.osvath@iaea.org
MEETING SECRETARY
Ms K. Will
Terrestrial Environment Laboratory
IAEA Environment Laboratories, Seibersdorf
Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications
Telephone: +43-1-2600-28237
Fax: +43-1-26007
Email: k.will@iaea.org
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