February 2011 Charleston, SC - USA Uruguay is a country located in the southeastern part of South America. 3.5 million Uruguay is a country located in the southeastern part of South America. It is inhabited by 3.5 million people of whom 1.4 million live in the capital - Montevideo. 33° 00´ South – 56° 00´ West International Radiation Protection Association 2 nd IRPA Workshop on Radiation Protection Culture Area - 176,214 Km 2

Active Members 22: doctors, chemists, technologists, regulators, etc. SURPSURP Sociedad Uruguaya de Radio protección Prof. Dr. Alvaro Luongo – Céspedes President of SURP

Radioprotection in Uruguay The radiation protection lies between radio panic and radio ignorance Prof. Dr. Alvaro Luongo – Céspedes

Do medical schools today, assigned the proper value to the philosophy of radiation protection ? Do medical schools today, assigned the proper value to the philosophy of radiation protection ? Limited and superficial in undergraduate studies Medical Doctors graduate with total disregard to the related specialties The medical community does not know the fundamentals of radiation protection. Prof. Dr. Alvaro Luongo – Céspedes

What are the elements of the RP culture and how could we define it? Culture: from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning "to cultivate” Culture: from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning "to cultivate”LatinculturaLatincultura Culture definition: culture, in anthropology, the integrated system of socially acquired values, beliefs, and rules of conduct which delimit the range of accepted behaviors in any given society. Cultural differences distinguish societies from one another. Culture definition: culture, in anthropology, the integrated system of socially acquired values, beliefs, and rules of conduct which delimit the range of accepted behaviors in any given society. Cultural differences distinguish societies from one another. Definition referred to RP: Culture includes the values, ideas, attitudes and symbols, knowledge, etc that shape human behavior and that is transmitted from one generation to the next. The introduction of behavior that leads to the implementation of the ALARA principle. Definition referred to RP: Culture includes the values, ideas, attitudes and symbols, knowledge, etc that shape human behavior and that is transmitted from one generation to the next. The introduction of behavior that leads to the implementation of the ALARA principle. Prof. Dr. Alvaro Luongo – Céspedes

I only know that I know nothing trying to discredit our education system Prof. Dr. Alvaro Luongo – Céspedes

Is it possible to assess the RP culture and what could be the criteria? Yes, it is possible assess the RP culture, and if you ask me what are the criteria: ALARA culture promotes a social risk-taking organization. Yes, it is possible assess the RP culture, and if you ask me what are the criteria: ALARA culture promotes a social risk-taking organization. ALARA culture is based on the acknowledgment of the existence of a residual risk at levels of exposure lower than the regulatory limits. ALARA culture is based on the acknowledgment of the existence of a residual risk at levels of exposure lower than the regulatory limits. Prof. Dr. Alvaro Luongo – Céspedes

How to engage the stakeholders in the process of developing RP culture? Respect to radiological risks and the methods used for its management, it is necessary to develop a common culture. Respect to radiological risks and the methods used for its management, it is necessary to develop a common culture. Educating people about the BENEFITS and possible RISKS to assist in the ALARA concept. Educating people about the BENEFITS and possible RISKS to assist in the ALARA concept. Promote the need to optimize the relation benefit / risk. For example in medicine to raise awareness about the benefit / risk to professionals who prescribe studies using ionizing radiation. Promote the need to optimize the relation benefit / risk. For example in medicine to raise awareness about the benefit / risk to professionals who prescribe studies using ionizing radiation. Sensitize the authorities to engage responsibly on keeping individual records of radiation received during the life. Sensitize the authorities to engage responsibly on keeping individual records of radiation received during the life. Prof. Dr. Alvaro Luongo – Céspedes

What is the role of professional societies in promoting an RP culture? Provide an environment that promote dialogue, and disseminates information among its members – companies (private and public) and society as a whole. Provide an environment that promote dialogue, and disseminates information among its members – companies (private and public) and society as a whole. The societies must participate in all the events related with the use of ionizing radiations. The societies must participate in all the events related with the use of ionizing radiations. Promote the learning of Radioprotection in pre-grade studies. Promote the learning of Radioprotection in pre-grade studies. Prof. Dr. Alvaro Luongo – Céspedes

What are the criteria for success? Motivation Compromise CompromiseWork Prof. Dr. Alvaro Luongo – Céspedes

The big question The big question Is possible to turn the existing reality? We accept by convention but not by conviction THANKS

Prof. Dr. Alvaro Luongo – Céspedes