On 23 November 2022, the African Young Generation in Nuclear (AYGN) held an online webinar dedicated to the cooperation of the organization with ISTC. The meeting was part of the events accompanying the celebration of AYGN’s fifth anniversary. The organizers had a very good reason to stage a meeting with ISTC, because the Center has provided financial support and encouragement to the young African scientists from the moment their organization came into existence in Nairobi back in 2017. ISTC has also suppoerted every one of the three African Youth Nuclear Summits (AYNS) held ever since in Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana, respectively. Not surprisingly, at the webinar it became clear that AYGN will welcome ISTC’s participation once again next year, at the Fourth AYNS to be convened in Cairo, Egypt.

Moreover, the program of the Summit that is in preparation envisages a special day for ISTC to present its activities in Africa and worldwide, but also to carry out discussions on such themes as cybersecurity and artificial intelligence in the nuclear field. AYGN and its national networks work to educate the general public and to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from the current generation of leading nuclear experts (from academia, radiation services providers, operators and regulators, and the research industry) to the younger generations.

In his remarks at the webinar, ISTC Executive Director David Cleave recalled the record of achievements of the ISTC–AYGN partnership. He acknowledged the important role of AYGN as a platform for the exchange of ideas and networking on topics related to nuclear science and technology. In addition, he noted that the ISTC-AYGN relations have matured to a deeper level and may therefore aspire after more substantial objectives than what collaboration with civil society is usually taken to imply.

Executive Director David Cleave briefed the audience about the ongoing transformation of ISTC, ushering new topics into its areas of interest and new State Parties and Partners into the organization, such as Kenya, the first African country to join ISTC. He answered the subsequent questions about the procedures leading to ISTC membership, about scholarships and internships at ISTC, and the electronic Forum for project proposal submissions.

More than 25 leaders and members of AYGN took part in the webinar. Some of them were well known ISTC partners, coming from countries where ISTC has held or continues to implement projects: Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda. Others represented recently established or emerging AYGN national chapters in Sierra Leon, Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco. Several participants conveyed their appreciation for the ISTC’s support. AYGN President Raphael Chesori expressed a commonly shared opinion by saying: “We look forward to greater engagement, forging ahead as strong partners in implementing projects and programs that bring lifelong impact to our constituency and communities across Africa.

The African Young Generation in Nuclear (AYGN) is a non-profit organization bringing together national networks (YGNs) for young professionals in nuclear field and other related disciplines. It is a continental affiliate body to IYNC. AYGN’s prime mission is to address the socio-economic issues of the continent through promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology in Africa.