U.S. think tanks support FGV research on nuclear risk reduction

The project titled ‘Reducing Nuclear Risks in Brazil Through Democratic Governance,’ by FGV’s Center for International Relations, has received financial support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, both from the United States. The goal of both institutions is to foster projects that take an innovative research approach in the field of nuclear safety. The research is being carried out by Professor Matias Spektor, Coordinator of FGV’s Center for International Relations, based at FGV’s School of Social Sciences (CPDOC).

The initiative aims to identify international governance mechanisms in the nuclear industry, in order to mitigate the risk of terrorism dissemination, as well as environmental and health hazards, capitalizing on Brazil’s unique position within the global nuclear scenario. As one of the few countries in the world with an installed capacity to enrich uranium, with an unparalleled nuclear propulsion project for submarines, the country can be extremely helpful to the international community.

According to the Director of the MacArthur Foundation’s Nuclear Challenges Program, Emma Belcher, the organization seeks “projects that can help reduce nuclear risk by demonstrating new approaches to existing problems, creating new and important partnerships, and coming up with ideas that governments and the industry can implement”. The project ‘Reducing Nuclear Risks in Brazil Through Democratic Governance’ will last for two years.