How to start a network? Experience in networking and achievements of the IRPA Young Generation Network

Andresz, S.*; Betos, C.*; Ha, W.-H.*; Hamida, T.*; Hussain, B. S.*; Kabrt, F.*; Nusrat, O.*; Michaelidesova, A.*; Lima Thiago V. M.*; Movsisyan, N.*; Otoo, F.*; Papp, C.*; Piechotka, J.*; Qiu, R.*; Sez Muoz, M.*; Sakoda, Akihiro   ; Kono, Takahiko  ; Singh, V. P.*; Tsorxe, I.*; Yoshida, Hiroko*

Since its establishment in 2018, the Young Generation Network (YGN) has been dedicated, with support of the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA), to a variety of activities to promote communication, collaboration and professional development of students, young professionals and scientists in radiation protection and its allied fields. This presentation will first report on the activities performed from the middle of 2018 to 2022, with highlights on some important events, collaboration and publications. The discussion and insight obtained from each activity will be summarized and used to inform how the IRPA YGN will aim to achieve its on-going activities and continue to follow the ways paved in the Strategic Agenda 2022-2024 and despite the very specific challenges faced by a "young generation network". Namely, running international surveys (for example, on the usage of social media in radiation protection, or on the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic), engaging national YGNs (for example in contest and discussion about the future of the radiation protection profession), extending the network, finding new relationships with networks with an interest in the young generation and participation in (remote) events will be aspired for.