The international radioecology workshop under the COMET pan-European project began its proceedings

On 29 August 2016, representatives from 12 countries gathered in Chernihiv (Ukraine) to discuss the issues dealing with organization and conduction of radioecology studies and interpretation of their scientific findings. The workshop is named “30 years after the Chornobyl disaster: what do we know about radiation effects on the environment”.
The workshop was organized under the COMET project (COordination and iMplementation of a pan-Europe instrumenT for radioecology) by the Chornobyl Center (Slavutych, Ukraine) and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (Lancaster, the UK).
Over 40 experts from Ukraine, Belarus, Belgium, the UK, Ireland, Spain, Germany, USA, Finland, France, Sweden, Japan will participate in the workshop.
The working program includes three days of proceedings as well as presentation and discussion of 25 reports. In addition, the workshop attendees shall have an information tour around the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.

FYI:
The COMET project is being implemented by the European Radioecology Alliance and STAR Project under the 7th Framework Program for radioecology development (European Commission). The project’s objective is to study the issues of radiation effects on humans and the environment and strengthen Europe-wide initiatives through the development of integrated radioecology research.
The project envisages development of strategic research plans as a basis for the elaboration of new mechanisms for joint programming and implementation of radioecology studies. The research activities are carried out in cooperation with scientists from the countries, which experienced severe nuclear accidents. The project is also developing mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge and staff development to enhance capacity of professionals in European countries, their competence and skills in radioecology.
The Chornobyl Center is among the lead participants of the project and is responsible for assisting in implementation of certain COMET work programs within the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone.

Activities of the project began in 2013.