50th Anniversary of the Belgian Association for Radiological Protection (BVS-ABR)

Radiation protection has greatly contributed to the protection of mankind and the environment against the potentially harmful effects of ionising radiation and radioactivity, whilst at the same time allowing the benefits of their use to be exploited. Radiation protection covers a wide range of fields and applications related to the development and operation of nuclear and radiation-related technologies: nuclear energy production, industrial applications, medical diagnosis and therapies. Unfortunately, there is a negative nuclear legacy that exists across the world that still has to be dealt with. This relates in particular relating to former activities like military nuclear applications, as well as accidents, mining operations and NORM material activities.

Over the past decades, radiation protection professionals have contributed actively to the development of legislation and regulations, to monitoring and control activities, to modelling and to the prediction of consequences and risk assessments. They have formed national and international Radiation Protection Associations to represent their interests. These associations organise debates on scientific issues and legislation, make radiation protection part of daily practice, exchange ideas and run training courses.

In 2013, the Belgian Association for Radiological Protection BVS-ABR celebrates its golden jubilee. On this occasion, the BVS-ABR is organising a symposium, not only to celebrate its history and anniversary, but also to focus on on-going issues and challenges for the future. These challenges are multiple: How to deal with the rapid evolution of technology? How to raise awareness and to guarantee adequate protection without taking away the large benefits to society of using ionising radiation, especially in the medical domain? How to attract young professionals to the field? How to clarify the role and responsibilities of a radiation protection expert? How to learn from accidents? How to engage with society?

During this symposium from 8-10 April 2013, taking place in hotel Metropole, a historic place in the heart of Brussels where Solvay organised the first scientific conference worthy of this name, a number of key note lectures will set the scene. This input will be complemented by oral and poster communications with a broad professional audience.
You are all cordially invited to participate in the symposium and to contribute abstracts. Further information on how to submit an abstract or on how to register is available at: www.bvsabr.be/50Y .

On behalf of the BVS-ABR, I looking forward to meeting many of you during the symposium,

Frank Hardeman
BVS-ABR