The recent WiN Global Annual Meeting was hosted by WiN-France. It took place from 26-30 May 2008 in Marseille, France. The main theme was:

"Nuclear Revival: Maintaining Key Competencies"

• Extension of work age for senior skilled workforce and transfer of knowledge.
• Training for young professionals.
• Role of women in competencies replacement.
• Preparation of the know-how transfer.

The popularity of this year’s WiN Global Annual Meeting, the 16th to be held, proved to be unparalleled popular. Hosted by WiN France in Marseilles, the event saw a week of experts, company executives, organisational leaders of all nationalities, women and men, convened to address the challenges facing the nuclear industry in the future. The programme offered a variety of presentations, and provided a broad analytical view of the nuclear industry: “Country reports” gave attendees the opportunity to assess the state of nuclear development at a global level, more specific presentation addressed particular challenges and debates and discussions allowed the audience to contribute and challenge the speakers.

The Annual Meeting also included the presentation of a series of awards to those who have demonstrated notable commitment to the promotion of nuclear and in particular to the support of women who work in the nuclear industry, whether through WiN or independently. The WiN Global Award, the most prestigious of these Awards went to Linda Keen, President and C.E.O. of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, for her strong action and principles concerning nuclear safety regulations. The Win France award went to Dr. Maria Philomena Guerra, for her work in the application of nuclear analytical techniques to archaeological science.

However, the meeting was not all business. To facilitate better relationships across the world, on the final evening of the congress, our WiNners were very warmly welcomed by the Town authorities in a reception given in their honour at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The hand-over between the former international president, Junko OGAWA and the newly elected Cheryl BOGGESS also took place during this reception. After a traditional Japanese dance performed by Junko as a farewell gift to her members, Cheryl’s vibrant speech left no room for doubt that WiN Global will continue to be a real force and motor in the years to come.

There is no doubt that the discussions and the contacts realised during the WIN congress have gone a long way in identifying solutions to the problems and questions addressed - The eternal questioning necessary to ensure the dynamism and development of the nuclear industry to face tomorrow’s challenges in the respect of ethics, resource optimisation and sustainable development is incontestably a matter for women.