Anthonie Cilliers, founder of the platform EnerConnect, noted that UNSDGs are aimed at stimulating action in the areas of critical importance for the planet and humanity. “These vitally important goals address poverty, hunger, human health, clean water, affordable and clean energy, industry and innovation as well as climate change, to name but a few. We urge young African students and professionals to research the UNSDGs and demonstrate how nuclear science and technology can benefit them”.

The contest is organized by the African office of Russian state atomic energy corporation ROSATOM, educational platform EnerConnect as well as youth organizations African Young Generation in Nuclear (AYGN) and South African Young Nuclear Professionals Society (SAYNPS).

The contest will run up until September 30, 2019. Young people are encouraged to film a short video about their findings and promote it on Facebook. The competition is open to everyone aged 18-30 residing in Sub-Saharan Africa, and is not limited to engineering and science students. A two stage judging process will be used to select the winning teams, an independent jury made up of nuclear professionals and experts on sustainability topics will select the top ten videos and the general public will be invited to vote for the best video on the Rosatom Africa Facebook page.

The award ceremony will take place within 2^nd African Nuclear Youth Summit to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa in early October 2019. The participants who created the top two videos will win an all-expenses paid trip to Russia in November 2019. The winner of the 3rd place will receive valuable prizes, and the participants of seven other shortlisted videos will be rewarded with commemorative certificates and gifts.

Gaopalelwe Santswere, AYGN Interim President and SAYNPS Executive Chairperson highlighted that over past 10 years, more and more African countries began to explore various nuclear technologies as viable options that contribute to sustainable development.  “Countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia are all currently actively exploring various nuclear technologies to solve a number of issues hampering development. Opportunities like “Atoms for Africa” competition allow young generation to truly understand the immense benefits that nuclear technologies can bring to their countries and the wellbeing of their people”.

The trip to Russia for winning teams will include visits to well-known Moscow landmarks, Russia’s state-of-the-art nuclear facilities, top nuclear universities as well as other scientific and technological facilities. The winners will also meet African students currently studying various nuclear disciplines in Russia.

Mr. Dmitry Shornikov, CEO of Rosatom Central and Southern Africa highlighted the company’s commitment towards supporting the development of young nuclear professionals. “One of our key missions at ROSATOM is to assist the brightest young minds from across the globe to work together in solving global challenges that will shape the future of energy and the world as we know it”. He added: “This is a great opportunity for young people from very different walks of life who share a common passion to build a bright and sustainable future for Africa to discover more about various nuclear applications and their vast benefits for the region”.

Detailed information and terms and conditions of the competition are posted at: https://www.facebook.com/rosatominafrica/.

The competition was announced during an online webinar “UN Sustainable Development Goals and Nuclear: Beyond Energy”. The webinar can help applicants to increase participants chances of winning. To access the video and presentation from the webinar are available at https://www.ener-connect.com/new-events/2018/08/01/nuclear-sustainability.