Reflections from the Latin American Regional Congress, Havana, 16-20 April 2018

Roger Coates, Ana Maria Bomben, Bernard le Guen, Eduardo Gallego

The Congress was attended by around 500 delegates, over 200 of which were from 21 countries outside of Cuba. The IRPA EC were represented by Roger, Eduardo, Ana Maria and Bernard. The scientific proceedings were in Spanish, with English translation available for the opening afternoon on Monday, the ASF on Tuesday and the final day. The scientific committee was composed by 75 experts who reviewed 442 papers; of them, 268 were approved without modifications, 163 received comments and were modified and 11 were rejected. Finally, there were 244 oral presentations of which 59 invited and 97 posters. Remarkable were the 10 refresher courses, attended by a total of 413 persons.

The organisers had several special challenges linked to the system of central government control. The dates of the congress had previously been changed by one week by government decision, because on the previously decided date it was necessary to relocate a massive health congress that had to be postponed due to the hurricane that Cuba suffered in September 2017. There were other late changes linked to the election of a new Cuban President because the congress centre also doubles as the parliament seat. With about two weeks’ notice the Thursday sessions had to be relocated to several locations in the Old Town, and with only 24 hours’ notice the same for the Wednesday sessions. It was remarkable how the organisers coped!

There was a very high profile for IAEA (represented at DDG level) and WHO/PAHO, and these organisations were fully embedded into the scientific programme. All the international bodies, including IRPA, took part in a special plenary on ‘Implementation of the BSS in Latin America and the Caribbean’. As would be expected, there was a strong medical emphasis in the programme, including a special seminar on the Monday morning addressing the Bonn Call for Action. The special theme of the congress was ‘Safety Culture – a Shared Responsibility’, and there were keynotes, round tables and Refresher Courses devoted to this topic.

One notable Special Panel was on ‘Women in RP and Nuclear’, including a WiN representative Melina Belinco from CNEA Argentina (who had a discussion with me later). We (Jong) should consider a similar panel for IRPA15 Seoul – Marina Di Giorgio (a member of the ICPC Core) was present and could help lead this, and we should involve WiN.

At the NIR session the Spanish translation of the WHO document: “Artificial tanning devices: public health interventions to manage sunbeds” was officially launched. This document has been published as an IRPA document and the translation into Spanish has been carried out by the Spanish Radiation Protection Society and the Argentine Radiation Protection Society.

The ASF was a little disrupted by a late change in venue and over-running parallel sessions, but was well attended by all the key societies (see attached list), with good discussion. Key points emerging include:

Regional Representation on the EC: There seemed to be a broad preference for Option C – encouragement to vote with a proper conscience to avoid what was called ‘a North Atlantic Association’. It was suggested that we explore the IOMP approach to committees with regional representation (Action Roger/Bernard – but note that we have been warned off taking what can be viewed as a ‘divisive’ regional approach as per IOMP!). There was no support for constitutional change, and I think that a rule change would be accepted even if not initially preferred. The overall importance of wider issues in securing a balanced EC was very strongly endorsed.

Horizon Scanning: no new issues proposed, but the initiative, including more information in a newsletter/Bulletin, was widely welcomed.

Non Ionising Radiation: Surprisingly there was little current engagement in NIR by societies present, although examples were given of the need to be up to speed on this, especially in public communication. Overall it was recognised as an issue of growing importance, and IRPA should engage more.

Young Persons: There were many YPs throughout the congress, and Argentina, Colombia (where five females lead the Board!) and Peru made brief presentations on their engagement. A well-recognised and supported initiative.

Eight societies (Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Paraguay) made presentations on their activities. Chile and Paraguay are strong candidates for joining IRPA over the next year or so.

Note that the very keen Mexican colleagues were from a newer society (AMRAP) which is different from the society currently affiliated to IRPA. It seems that the current IRPA-associated society is dormant, small and unresponsive. Eduardo and Ana Maria should help to rationalise this situation, ideally by politely (after some formal attempts at contact) removing the old society!

After preliminary discussion at the ASF, it was decided later at the FRALC meeting that the 2022 Regional Congress would be held in Chile, and the 2026 event in Colombia. This gives extra urgency for Chile to formally join IRPA. Note that Chile will host a major medical physics congress in 2019, and this will be a helpful ‘dry run’.

RC had a side discussion with a Jamaican representative who spoke during the BSS panel, Professor Ishenkumba Kahwa (University of the West Indies and Chair of the Hazardous Substance Regulatory Authority). The development of effective RP in the Caribbean is moving rather slowly, but he mentioned that there is a key meeting of reps from all the countries next year, and he hoped that IRPA would be able to attend and give encouragement. We will await further information.

The hoped-for meeting with FORO never happened due to logistical reasons. In preparation for this with Ana Maria, we agreed that a model based on the HERCA interface was best, where we are invited to join in on relevant FORO initiatives. Of course, their presence at the congress is also part of the cooperation. Ana Maria to please take forward.

There was a final session on conclusions from the congress, presented by Ruben Ferro, President of the Scientific Programme Committee. This sounded to be a good summary, which

is going to be written up. We should put this on our website (in Spanish, and hopefully with an English translation).

The YP Prize competition was healthy, with four out of seven contestants (and the winner) being female. The buzz in the room during the announcement of the results by Eduardo was pretty palpable – a very good atmosphere. There was also a Poster Prize competition and the 3 best posters were announced at the Closing Ceremony.

There was a formal Closing Ceremony, which included the designation of a stamp by the Cuban Post Office as the ‘Congress Stamp’. It seems that as well as a tartan, IRPA now has a stamp!

During the Closing Ceremony RC presented on IRPA15 Seoul, and the First Announcement was distributed during the final lunch. It is clear that many found the costs (travel and registration fee) for this event somewhat prohibitive from Latin American countries. I emphasised the need for societies in particular to support YPs, including entrants to the Prize Competition. The EC needs to think how we can support the finances to get a reasonable Latin American presence.

There were many social occasions during the week, both for all congress delegates and also special events for VIPs, which demonstrated the care and importance given to this event by the Cuban hosts. It was clear that the congress had the full support of various Ministries and Ministers, the RP Institute (CPHR), Regulator (CNSN) and the Nuclear Research Institute (AENTA).

Perhaps the most impressive and charming event was immediately after the Closing Ceremony, where a special performance activity took place in the plenary room. A large group of ‘performing arts’ children (aged 5 -10ish?) dressed as bees gave a lively performance involving song and dance. The song had been specially written around radiation protection, and included the immortal line ‘IRPA – What’s that?’! A terrific finale.