“The Chamber of Mines knows that nuclear energy is surrounded by questions of Health, Environmental and Radiation Safety, Waste, cost and non-proliferation. We believe these questions have sound and convincing answers, and the Chamber of Mines’ task is to provide them, accurately and comprehensively, with full recognition of public concerns. The Uranium Institute was launced to address these issues and to introduce best standards for the Uranium Industry in Namibia”
Mike Leech President of the Chamber of Mines
Who are we?
The Chamber of Mines’ Uranium Institute is Namibia’s leading source of advocacy, occupational capability, training and research on uranium related issues. It is a reliable source of energy, knowledge, and support for a never-ending campaign to improve health, environment and radiation safety in the Namibian context.The Institute provides participants with an opportunity to reflect on the unique needs of the uranium industry while developing strategies to best progress and lead their institutions in the future. Based in Swakopmund the UI helps accelerate change in health care, environmental management and radiation safety by cultivating promising concepts for improving and turning those ideas into action.
History of The Uranium Institute
The UI is a new organisation, having been launched in 2009 with a focus on improving the quality of healthcare, environment management and radiation safety. However, it has been around in various guises since 2007, when it was first launched as the Chamber of Mines’ Uranium Chapter.
Corporate values
We support those with the potential to make a real difference in improving the quality of occupational health, environmental management and radiation safety and security in Namibia
Strategic aims
The UI’s work to improve the quality of healthcare, environment management and radiation safety and security in Namibia is organised by six strategic aims. These are:
1. Communication ( engaging practitioners and stakeholders),
2. Awareness,( building the will for change and the conviction that improvement is possible)
3. Education (,building the capacity for change through knowledge exchange and training)
4. Health informatix management ( capturing, and managing data, ensuring quality control and encouraging collaborative independent researsh projects)
5. Collaborative improvement ( working together to spead best practices and yield breakthrough results),
6. Developing leaders and unifying the industry around the common cause of improving healthcare, environmental management and radiation safety for all.
How we work
Combining our independence and resources enables the UI to be and to create something different. Our role is in bridging the gaps between policy, practice and research – we draw on existing research and use the evidence generated from our work, alongside the guidelines provided by the Namibian Government, WNA, ICMM, AUA and the IAEA, to influence policy for the future.
Our evaluation and research approach
Central to our strategy for improving the quality of health, environment and radiation safety is a rigorous programme of evaluation.
Focus on prevention
Hundreds of studies have shown that supporting Wellness programmes, Preventative and Self-management programmes can lead to dramatically improved health outcomes for the general public and workers
Focus on Strategic issues
The Erongo Strategic Environmental Assessment is an excellent example how we work. It was initiated by the Chamber of Mines and was launched by the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the German Governmental Agencies in October 2008. The assessments will evaluate and recommend ways to ensure sustainable development in the Erongo region. The UI will continue to support the SEA and will assist with the implementation of the Strategic Mangement Plan (SEMP)
Industry support
The UI‘s Quality Initiative (QI) aims to help USC members close the gap between current and best practice in Health , Environment and Radiation Safety across the board. Launched in October 2009, the QI will test, develop and export ways to make operations safer and build improvement skills in their systems of care.
Leaders for Change
We believe that effective, skilled leaders lie at the heart of lasting improvements to healthcare, environment management and radiation safety. We offer high-quality leadership development opportunities to healthcare professionals from a wide range of organisational and professional backgrounds. We are looking for highly motivated individuals who share our passion to improve, and inspire health, environment and radiation safety and to lead change projects that will improve the quality of local services.
Opinion research
The UI will conduct series of surveys to determine opinions and attitudes towards the Uranium Industry in Namibia.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
In fact, it is the only thing that ever has”. Margaret Mead
To visit the Uranium Institute's website please click on the link below
http://namibiauraniuminstitute.com/joomla/