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Société des Professionnels Italiens du Nucléaire en France
Société des Professionnels Italiens du Nucléaire en France
[Society of Italian Nuclear Professionals in France]
[Society of Italian Nuclear Professionals in France]
Context
The last Italian nuclear power plant was permanently shut-down in 1990, at the end of a 40-year long history made possible by the Italian future-thinking pioneers of nuclear energy. Since then, although the Bel Paese has not generated one single kilowatt-hour of electricity from nuclear (after producing well over 70 TWh), its universities have continued to train young scientists and engineers and prepare them to contribute to the nuclear field.
Many of these young Italians have preferred – and still prefer – to take advantage of their advanced education and follow their atomic passion outside Italy, where their talent and skills are always appreciated and nurtured. France has been a main destination because of its fleet of 56 operational power reactors as well as the proximity of the two countries, geographically and also culturally and historically as well.
The number of Italian nuclear energy specialists in France has been growing each year and now forms a real community: the French nuclear energy sector speaks Italian too! Italian scientists and engineers are employed in the main French research centres, industries and national regulatory authorities. In these organisations the Italians serve at the forefront of the French nuclear world. Nuclear energy is animating the national public debate on sustainable development worldwide as well as in Italy. Thus, while Italy is questioning its own energy supply in future, this community of Italian professionals is contributing to decarbonised electricity production in France in a way that is often silent and invisible to their native country.
Ex-per-ire are the three Latin words from which the word experience is derived and which mean “starting from a point to cross a place”. Forty years after abandoning nuclear energy in favour of fossil fuels, Italy has lost a great part of its nuclear know-how. However, Enrico Fermi's country can still rely on many years of experience in the nuclear energy sector through its specialists working in France. This experience starts in Italian universities and runs through the challenges and trials undertaken in nuclear power generation in France, in all domains of this sector (research, industry national and regulatory authority).
In this context, the need arises for a framework for meetings, idea exchange and increased visibility for Italian nuclear energy professionals in France. This has led us to found the Société des Professionnels Italiens du Nucléaire en France (SPIN) [Society of Italian Nuclear Professionals in France]. The association aims to represent its members, increase their visibility and provide networking opportunities with national nuclear actors in France as well as in Italy.
This community already exists de facto and is based on hundreds of personal connections among its members, however it has never had either an organisational structure or a collective voice before. By forming an association, our community will be better able to contribute to the discussion about nuclear energy and its role in the framework of sustainable development in France as well as in Italy.
Objectives
The activities of SPIN will be built on five cornerstone objectives. SPIN will enhance:
Networking – Establishing, developing and entertaining friendly and mutually supportive relations (about career paths, skills hunting and similar) among Italian nuclear professionals in France through all professional, cultural and social initiatives likely to strengthen these relations;
Representation – Representing and increasing recognition for the value of Italian expertise in the French nuclear energy sector. Making a credible and structured contribution to the nuclear energy debate. Approaching and discussing energy production, consumption and related subjects with public and private players, and both French and Italian civil society (institutions, media, social networks, organisations and companies);
Forum – Promoting peer discussions, the exchange of opinions and ideas, better collaboration and cohesion among Italian nuclear professionals in France about topics related to the nuclear energy sector;
Communication - Organising public events (conferences, seminars, round tables and similar) in France, as well as in Italy, aimed at discussing, debating and disseminating accurate information about nuclear energy in order to support its inclusion in energy and sustainable development policies;
Integration - Enhancing the attractiveness of career paths in France for young Italians who are passionate and talented about nuclear energy, by facilitating their reception in the country by promoting internships and other similar activities within universities, research centres and public and private enterprises in France. Informing about business opportunities in the French nuclear energy sector, promoting and strengthening collaboration between French institutions, Italian universities and relevant nuclear actors.
Audience
SPIN is addressed to Italian professionals in the French nuclear energy sector (active or retired) and interested in pursuing the association’s objectives.
The association will seek collaboration and coordination with similar associations already active in France as well as in Italy.
Modus operandi
SPIN will be an association according to the French law of 1st July 1901 and to the French decree of 16th August 1901.
The headquarters of the association will be in Paris (France).
The association will rely on tools such as LinkedIn, a website/blog and newsletters in order to facilitate information exchange, including about future activities and initiatives.
Funding
The association will be funded through membership fees, event registration fees, donations from members, and potential private and public sponsorships.
Grants from local administrations and enterprises (including Italian ones), as well as all resources authorised by the law and regulations in force in France, can contribute to the financing of the association.
SPIN first steps
The association is taking its first steps with an official launch event in early 2023 in order to present its objectives and to discuss with the interested professionals. The signatories of this manifesto will compose the first governing board of the association with a one-year mandate to define a working plan, to organise the initial activities and to guide the association towards the general assembly at the end of 2023. At this general assembly, the initial governing board may be confirmed or modified.
Informal events may be organised in advance of its official launch to meet interested professionals and to facilitate the exchange of information.
Contacts
Signatories
Andrea Barbarino
Massimo Ciambrella
Riccardo Cocci
Davide Costa
Alberto Ghione
Emanuele Martinolli
Claudia Picoco
Antonio Sanna
Lucia Sargentini
Marco Tiberga
Francesco Vitillo
Andrea Zoia
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