The ISNL class of 2024, along with lecturers Paul Bowden, Stephen Burns, Abel Gonzáles, Peri Lynn Johnson, John Nakoski, Kimberly Sexton Nick, Patrick Reyners and Lisa Thiele.
The 23rd class of the NEA’s International School of Nuclear Law (ISNL) was held from 26 August to 6 September 2024 at the University of Montpellier, in the south of France, and brought together 59 participants representing 41 countries.
The ISNL, which was established in 2001 by the NEA in co-operation with the University of Montpellier, is a unique educational programme offering participants from the academic, private and governmental sectors an in-depth look at international nuclear law. Over two weeks, the participants gathered in Montpellier to increase their knowledge and strengthen their understanding of the existing legal frameworks and major topics related to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. To date, the ISNL has provided a unique educational opportunity to nearly 1 300 graduate students and professionals from close to 120 different countries.
Lisa Thiele, Vice-President, Legal and Commission Affairs & Senior General Counsel, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, delivers a lecture on the Convention on Nuclear Safety.
Since 2011, the programme has been led by Mr Paul Bowden, Honorary Professor of Law at the Nottingham Law School and former partner of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. The programme was delivered by lecturers made up of around 30 renowned specialists in nuclear law from international organisations, government, academia and private industry. Included among this year’s group of lecturers were Stephen G. Burns, former Chairman of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Łukasz Młynarkiewicz, former President of the National Atomic Energy Agency of Poland; Lisa Thiele, Vice-President, Legal and Commission Affairs & Senior General Counsel of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC); Khalil Bukhari, General Counsel for Newcleo Ltd.; Peri Lynne Johnson, Legal Adviser and Director of the Office of Legal Affairs at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Maria Lorenzo Sobrado, Head of the CBRN Terrorism Prevention Programme at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; and Verity Robson, Chief of Legal Services at the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).
The participants were immersed in international nuclear law through the ISNL’s rigorous programme, which consisted of lectures, group assignments and panel discussions. Classes touched on all aspects of nuclear law, including nuclear safety, management of spent fuel and radioactive waste, environmental protection, transport, nuclear security, non-proliferation, safeguards, nuclear liability, and international trade. In addition to the educational programme, ISNL participants had the opportunity to network with their classmates through social events around the city of Montpellier, as well as a trip to the site of ITER, set to become the largest experimental nuclear fusion reactor in the world once completed.
ISNL participants visit the ITER international nuclear fusion research facility in Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France.
To close out the programme, NEA Director-General Williams D. Magwood, IV gave a keynote address, emphasising the changes on the horizon in the energy sector and noting the participants’ important role in the future development and regulation of nuclear technologies.
“There are so many questions that have not been answered but need to be answered, both at the national level and the international level. It is astonishing how little has been done by the legal community and by governments to answer these questions, despite the fact that the technologies are now approaching the market,” said Director-General Magwood, noting that, “Many of you, as lawyers, are going to be involved in resolving these questions.”
Participants present to the class during a group workshop on 29 August 2024.
While this year’s programme has concluded, many participants are continuing their studies by completing an examination and a written dissertation on a topic relevant to international nuclear law, with the intention of applying for the University Diploma (Diplôme d'université – D.U.) in International Nuclear Law from the University of Montpellier.
Applications for the 2025 ISNL session, which will take place from 25 August to 5 September, will open in January 2025.
The NEA awarded grants to a select number of graduate students from its member countries to participate in the programme and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), under the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme, provides financial support to a limited number of professionals from its member states to attend the programme.
