LRG Seminar by Hedvig Nagy: From radon measurements to supervision of peaceful uses of nuclear materials

The event will take place 03 April 2023, 17:00-18:00

Since it is a hybrid event, you will be able to join via Zoom or participate in person at ELTE Lágymányos Campus 1117 Budapest, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C Building C (South), Room  Sztrókay (00-708).

The lecture will be held in English.

If you wish to participate, please register on this link: https://forms.gle/ZVfSgt758WU9fm6D6

Abstract:

In 1953. President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered his famous "Atoms for Peace" speech to the United Nations General Assembly. The speech outlined a vision for the peaceful uses of atomic energy and called for the establishment of an international organization to oversee the safe and peaceful development of nuclear energy. This organization later became the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Last year was 50 years ago, that the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement between the IAEA and Hungary was ratified (1972). This requires Hungary to declare all of its nuclear material and facilities to the IAEA and to allow the IAEA to verify that the declared nuclear material is used exclusively for peaceful purposes.

This is the tool to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons by ensuring that peaceful nuclear activities are not diverted towards nuclear weapons programs.

Hungary developed a national system for nuclear material accountancy based on IAEA requirements, from 2004 this system has to fulfil the requirements of the EURATOM system as well. The responsible organization for the supervision of the peaceful use of nuclear material is the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority (HAEA) which is responsible for the nuclear safety, security and radiation protection as well.

The presentation will show the safeguards related activities of the HAEA. It covers the topics of the nuclear material accountancy, the national and international inspections of nuclear materials, the challenges around the safeguard system which the HAEA has been facing in the past 50 years, and the Hungarian Safeguards Support Programme to the IAEA - which contains instrument developments and trainings for IAEA inspectors in Hungary as well. Non-proliferation covers the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and the Hungarian Safeguards Culture. Last but not least I would like to try to highlight how I use(d) my background and experience from the years I spent with radon research and what kind of possibilities I have to participate in science life as a member of a regulatory body.