The first
youth dialogues took place in the Republic of Kazakhstan, in the cities of
Almaty and Astana. The events brought together more than 500 students from L.N.
Gumilyov Eurasian National University, the Almaty branch of the National
Research Nuclear University MEPhI, and other universities, as well as young
professionals and representatives of the nuclear, scientific, and energy
communities. The participants were welcomed by Sama Bilbao y León, Head of the
World Nuclear Association. Her video address focused on the importance of the
younger generation’s role in shaping the future of nuclear energy and outlined international professional
opportunities for those choosing their career path in the industry.
Almasadam Satkaliyev, Chairman of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Atomic Energy, and Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, answered numerous questions in person and gave personal words of encouragement to the participants of the dialogue in Astana. They also outlined their vision for the prospects of the nuclear industry and the training of a new generation of specialists.
“In the next 10–15 years, Kazakhstan shall need not only NPP operating specialists, but also engineers, scientists, teachers and executives capable of establishing a modern national nuclear school. We want to see a young Kazakhstani specialist not just as an NPP employee but as a professional capable of driving the development of the entire nuclear industry of the country,” noted Almasadam Satkaliyev.
“Training of personnel in the field of nuclear energy, nuclear technologies and other knowledge-intensive areas should be carried out taking into account the long-term interests of the country and the objectives of technological development. This is one of the key areas for implementing the strategic initiatives of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on forming a new model of economic growth, developing science, technology, and human capital,” said Sayasat Nurbek.
“The strength of nuclear energy lies in the unity of its diversity: the diversity of professions, scientific fields, countries, cultures, and views, united by a shared responsibility for the future. That is why it is especially important to strengthen international cooperation, overcome barriers to young people's entry into the industry, and demonstrate that modern nuclear energy needs the knowledge, talents, and ideas of everyone”, commented Diana Gamazova, member and mentor of the International Youth Advisory Council Impact Team 2050 and Head of the Project “Energy of the Atom for Central Asia”.
Participation in the dialogues is open not only to the students and young specialists in nuclear physics, but also to representatives of other fields and areas. This approach makes it possible to discuss not only technological challenges, but also issues of nuclear and related education, opportunities for young professionals, prospects for international cooperation, and public engagement.
Impact Team 2050 is
the International Youth Advisory Council under the General Director of the
State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom.
Alexey Likhachev, General Director of the State Corporation Rosatom, positively evaluated the performance of the first Impact Team 2050 Council cohort for the 2022–2026 period and approved the selection results for new participants: 13 young representatives from 13 countries have become members of the second Council cohort.
Furthermore, Alexey Likhachev suggested that the Council should continue its efforts to expand the community of nuclear technology allies among youth and integrate the younger generation within the Council's member countries and regions into the nuclear energy agenda. Specifically, this entails organization of national youth dialogues across the member countries of the “Impact Team 2050” Council aimed at attracting young talent to the nuclear sector.
The second meeting of the new Impact Team 2050 Council cohort, featuring the presentation of the results of the national youth nuclear dialogues, shall take place in November 2026 with the personal participation of the General Director of the State Corporation Rosatom on the sidelines of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference in the Republic of Turkey.
National Youth Nuclear Dialogues
The Youth Dialogues are taking
place from September 1 to October 30, 2026 across 16 countries: Armenia,
Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Hungary, Egypt, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, China,
Kyrgyzstan, Rwanda, Serbia, Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Ethiopia and South Africa.
The
purpose of the dialogues is to engage young people in advanced technologies,
scientific and industry work, increase interest in energy and engineering
specialties, identify the main human resources, information, and public
barriers regarding nuclear energy, and to prepare recommendations and proposals
for developing the attractiveness of the nuclear industry for young specialists
in the countries of the “Impact Team 2050” Council.
Following the results of the
dialogues, it is planned to develop a roadmap with a list of the main barriers
to young people choosing nuclear professions and recommendations for increasing
the attractiveness of the industry for young specialists. The document can be
used in planning personnel training for the nuclear industry of the countries
of the “Impact Team 2050” Council. The roadmap is planned to be presented
during a meeting with the General Director of the State Corporation Rosatom as
part of the UN Climate Conference (COP31) in Turkey (Antalya).
The organizers of the events are mentors and members of the second cohort of the International Youth Advisory Council under the General Director of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom.
