( Adopted at the 47th Executive Council meeting, April 2002, Recife, Brazil )
IRPA Associate Societies are encouraged to organise meetings to provide a means whereby their members may discuss their professional experience, exchange ideas and acquaint themselves with the scientific and technical advancements of radiological protection.
Joint meetings between neighbouring Associate Societies are also encouraged to provide an opportunity for their members to exchange ideas and experience on topics of common interest with the objective to improve and harmonise radiation protection practices at the international level.
Five categories of meeting have been defined according the level of involvement of the IRPA Executive bodies.
1. Individual Associate Society Meetings
These are meetings (national congresses, workshops, conferences, symposiums…) organised under the responsibility of individual IRPA Associate Societies for the benefit of their members without any official involvement of the IRPA Executive bodies. Associate Societies are encouraged to mention their IRPA affiliation at the occasion of such meetings and to "fly the IRPA flag" during the conduct of the meetings. Such exposure and enhanced recognition is of benefit to both the Associate Society and to IRPA and no further authorisation is necessary.
2. Joint Associate Societies Meetings
These are meetings (workshops, conferences, symposiums,…) organised by two or more IRPA Associate Societies for the benefit of their members on topics of common interest without any official involvement of the IRPA Executive bodies. Associate Societies are encouraged to mention their IRPA affiliation at the occasion of such meetings and to "fly the IRPA flag" during the conduct of the meetings. Such exposure and enhanced recognition is of benefit to both the Associate Society and to IRPA and no further authorisation is necessary.
3. IRPA Regional Meetings
These are meetings (organised by neighbouring Associate Societies, under "the IRPA flag" to enhance co-operation between their members particularly with respect to common regional concerns in the field of radiation protection. Such meetings must be reported in advance to and approved by the IRPA Executive Council via its Regional Congresses Co-ordinating Committee. All printed materials related to the Regional Meeting must show the IRPA logo and contain the words IRPA Regional Meeting (conference, workshop, symposium,…) in the title of the meeting (for example: Second IRPA Regional Symposium of the Nordic Societies on Radiological Protection). A representative of the IRPA Executive Council must be invited to participate in the meeting to inform the participants on the on-going activities of the Association. All funding issues relative to such regional meetings are resolved among the participating Associate Societies without any IRPA specific financial contribution.
4. IRPA Regional Congresses
These are Congresses organised by two or more Associate Societies in the same geographical region to discuss all aspects of radiation protection and enhance international co-operation among professionals. IRPA Regional Congresses are meant to be more formal than IRPA Regional Meetings and may be entitled to sponsorship by the Association on the basis of demonstrated need. They require approval by the IRPA Executive Council and whenever practical, the annual IRPA Executive Council meetings are held in association with such Regional Congresses. Where IRPA funding is requested to aid in the organisation of or subsidise attendance at such Regional Congresses, the budget of the Congresses must be approved by the IRPA Executive Council. All printed materials related to the Regional Congress must show the IRPA logo and contain the words IRPA Regional Congress in the title of the meeting (for example: First African IRPA Regional Congress on Radiological Protection ). At least one officer of the IRPA Executive Council must be invited to participate in the meeting to inform the participants on the on-going activities of the Association. IRPA Refresher Courses must be part of the Scientific Programme and whenever possible an IRPA Associate Societies Forum should be organised to give the opportunity to representatives of participating Societies to discuss issues of common interest for the Association. While multiple Regional Congresses may be acceptable in years other than a IRPA International Congress year the times and locations should be reasonably separated to avoid conflicts that would affect their success.
See the Guidelines on the Organisation of an IRPA Regional Congress in the Rules and Procedures Section for more details.
5. IRPA International Congresses
The Association holds International Congresses at interval of 4 years at such time and place designated by the General Assembly. The primary purpose of the IRPA International Congresses is to give an opportunity to all Associate Societies members in the world to meet and discuss the scientific and technical issues in relation to the advancement of radiological protection. IRPA International Congresses are also the occasion for the Association to conduct its busness and to renew its administration bodies at the General Assembly.
The Associate Society or (Societies) wishing to host such International Congresses must propose an offer to the General Assembly at which the time and place of the Congress will be approved by the majority of the IRPA delegates. Basic requirements and procedures related to the organisation of an IRPA International Congress are given in the IRPA Rules and Procedures.
See the Guidelines on the organisation of an IRPA International Congress in the Rules and Procedure Section for more details.
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