World Institute for Nuclear Security
Encyclopedia
The World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS) is an organisation which aims to help strengthen the physical protection and security of nuclear
and radioactive materials and facilities worldwide. Launched in September 2008, WINS is bringing together nuclear security experts, the nuclear industry, governments and international organisations to focus on rapid and sustainable improvement of security at nuclear facilities around the world. The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), the United States Department of Energy
and the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management(INMM), partnered to develop and launch WINS, in close collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA).
Additionally, the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has pledged $500,000 (Canadian) in support of WINS.
; New Organization Will Strengthen Security for Nuclear Materials
- Former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn, co-chairman of the Nuclear Threat Initiative (29 Sept. 2008)
"Each nation has the responsibility to assist in the effort to make nuclear materials and facilities secure. This means we need cooperation at every level and every stage of the process: from government, to industry, to non-governmental organizations. The World Institute for Nuclear Security will make an important contribution to the cause of nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear
security."
- Samuel Bodman,Former U.S. Secretary of Energy (29 Sept. 2008)
“I am pleased to provide my support and endorsement for the establishment of the World Institute for Nuclear Security to be based in Vienna. As the full support of nuclear operators is key to effective nuclear security, I am confident that establishing a forum to help share and promote best practices amongst them will improve nuclear security, and contribute to and complement the efforts of the IAEA towards establishing and helping to implement a global nuclear security regime based on internationally accepted norms and guidelines.”
- Mohamed ElBaradei, Former IAEA Director General (29 Sept. 2008)
“The Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism’s Terms of Reference explicitly speaks of the need to share best practices to develop and improve accounting, control and physical protection systems for nuclear and other radioactive materials. With the launch of WINS, we hope to provide an institutional means for doing that important work.”
- Charles Curtis, NTI President (29 Sept. 2008)
Dr. Roger Howsley is the Executive Director of WINS (September 2008 - present). Dr. Howsley was the former Director of Security, Safeguards and International Affairs (SSIA) for British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. and has over 25 years international experience relating to nuclear non proliferation and security across the nuclear fuel cycle, working with the IAEA, Euratom, National Police Forces and security organisations.
He was Chairman of the UK's Atomic Energy Police Authority on a biennial basis between 1996 and 2005 and managed its transition to become the Civil Nuclear Constabulary in 2005, an armed police force responsible for the protection of the UK's civil nuclear sites. He led BNFL's response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, assessing and leading the programme of security enhancements at BNFL sites and interacting with Government at all levels, including an 18-month investigation into nuclear security by the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology.
He was appointed to serve on the IAEA Director-General's Standing Advisory Group on Safeguards Implementation (SAGSI). Dr. Howsley holds a first class honours degree and doctorate in Life Sciences from the University of Liverpool in England.
WINS has received letters of support from various international leaders, including:
• Kjell Bendiksen, President, Institute for Energy Technology, Norway
• Roger M Brunt CBE, Director, Division 5, Nuclear Directorate, Office for Civil Nuclear Security, UK
• John Carlson, Director General, Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO)
• Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
• Sir Adrian Montague, Chairman, British Energy Group PLC, UK
• Nancy Jo Nicholas, President, Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM)
• Tero Varjoranta, Director, Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), Finland
• Dr. Janet E Wilson, Head of Security, Safeguards & Non-Proliferation, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), UK
• Roland Schenkel, Director General, Joint Research Centre, European Commission
Nuclear material
Nuclear material refers to the metals uranium, plutonium, and thorium, in any form, according to the IAEA. This is differentiated further into "source material", consisting of natural and depleted uranium, and "special fissionable material", consisting of enriched uranium , uranium-233, and...
and radioactive materials and facilities worldwide. Launched in September 2008, WINS is bringing together nuclear security experts, the nuclear industry, governments and international organisations to focus on rapid and sustainable improvement of security at nuclear facilities around the world. The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), the United States Department of Energy
United States Department of Energy
The United States Department of Energy is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government concerned with the United States' policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material...
and the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management(INMM), partnered to develop and launch WINS, in close collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency
International Atomic Energy Agency
The International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957...
(IAEA).
WINS Vision
To help improve security of nuclear and high hazard radioactive materials so that they are secure from unauthorised access, theft, sabotage and diversion and cannot be utilised for terrorist or other nefarious purposes.WINS Mission
To provide an international forum for those accountable for nuclear security to share and promote the implementation of best security practices.WINS Membership
WINS is accepting applications for membership from organisations and individuals that have accountabilities for nuclear security and who wish to contribute to the goals of WINS – to share and promote the implementation of best security practices.WINS Launch
WINS was launched on 29 September 2008 at the IAEA General Conference. In launching WINS, former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn, co-chairman NTI, announced that NTI, with financial support from the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, was providing a $3 million foundation grant to the new organisation. U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman announced that the Department of Energy would match NTI’s grant with an additional $3 million of support. Ambassador Bengt Johansen of Norway announced his country’s support for WINS and an initial $100,000 contribution to support the participation of security professionals from developing states in WINS activities.Additionally, the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has pledged $500,000 (Canadian) in support of WINS.
News
World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS) is based in ViennaVienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
; New Organization Will Strengthen Security for Nuclear Materials
Said About WINS
“I believe that we must be committed to the vision of a world in which all nuclear materials are safe, secure and accounted for from cradle to grave. The ultimate goal of WINS is for every institution responsible for nuclear and radioactive material to join and participate in this organization – both to share what they know and to learn from others. Our message to everyone handling nuclear materials is that a terrorist nuclear attack anywhere in the world will cast a dark cloud over the entire nuclear community -- no matter where the material originated. WINS will help ensure that we can enjoy the benefits of nuclear energy while defending against its dangers."- Former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn, co-chairman of the Nuclear Threat Initiative (29 Sept. 2008)
"Each nation has the responsibility to assist in the effort to make nuclear materials and facilities secure. This means we need cooperation at every level and every stage of the process: from government, to industry, to non-governmental organizations. The World Institute for Nuclear Security will make an important contribution to the cause of nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear
security."
- Samuel Bodman,Former U.S. Secretary of Energy (29 Sept. 2008)
“I am pleased to provide my support and endorsement for the establishment of the World Institute for Nuclear Security to be based in Vienna. As the full support of nuclear operators is key to effective nuclear security, I am confident that establishing a forum to help share and promote best practices amongst them will improve nuclear security, and contribute to and complement the efforts of the IAEA towards establishing and helping to implement a global nuclear security regime based on internationally accepted norms and guidelines.”
- Mohamed ElBaradei, Former IAEA Director General (29 Sept. 2008)
“The Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism’s Terms of Reference explicitly speaks of the need to share best practices to develop and improve accounting, control and physical protection systems for nuclear and other radioactive materials. With the launch of WINS, we hope to provide an institutional means for doing that important work.”
- Charles Curtis, NTI President (29 Sept. 2008)
Executive Director
Dr. Roger Howsley is the Executive Director of WINS (September 2008 - present). Dr. Howsley was the former Director of Security, Safeguards and International Affairs (SSIA) for British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. and has over 25 years international experience relating to nuclear non proliferation and security across the nuclear fuel cycle, working with the IAEA, Euratom, National Police Forces and security organisations.
He was Chairman of the UK's Atomic Energy Police Authority on a biennial basis between 1996 and 2005 and managed its transition to become the Civil Nuclear Constabulary in 2005, an armed police force responsible for the protection of the UK's civil nuclear sites. He led BNFL's response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, assessing and leading the programme of security enhancements at BNFL sites and interacting with Government at all levels, including an 18-month investigation into nuclear security by the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology.
He was appointed to serve on the IAEA Director-General's Standing Advisory Group on Safeguards Implementation (SAGSI). Dr. Howsley holds a first class honours degree and doctorate in Life Sciences from the University of Liverpool in England.
International Support
WINS has received letters of support from various international leaders, including:
• Kjell Bendiksen, President, Institute for Energy Technology, Norway
• Roger M Brunt CBE, Director, Division 5, Nuclear Directorate, Office for Civil Nuclear Security, UK
• John Carlson, Director General, Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO)
• Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
• Sir Adrian Montague, Chairman, British Energy Group PLC, UK
• Nancy Jo Nicholas, President, Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM)
• Tero Varjoranta, Director, Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), Finland
• Dr. Janet E Wilson, Head of Security, Safeguards & Non-Proliferation, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), UK
• Roland Schenkel, Director General, Joint Research Centre, European Commission
See also
- World Association of Nuclear OperatorsWorld Association of Nuclear OperatorsThe World Association of Nuclear Operators is an international organisation founded in 1989 after the Chernobyl accident to foster international cooperation and professional excellence within the nuclear industry...
- Institute of Nuclear Materials ManagementInstitute of Nuclear Materials ManagementThe Institute of Nuclear Materials Management is an international technical and professional organization that works to promote safe handling of nuclear material and the safe practice of nuclear materials management through publications, as well as organized presentations and meetings.The INMM's...
External links
- World Institute for Nuclear Security
- World nuclear security gets welcome boost (NatureNature (journal)Nature, first published on 4 November 1869, is ranked the world's most cited interdisciplinary scientific journal by the Science Edition of the 2010 Journal Citation Reports...
) - New Security Organization Will Try to Prevent Nuclear Theft (New York Times)