See here for a report back of the conference, including the presentations.

Nuclear power is being promoted by an international industry that downplays the dangers and costs involved. The 50 year history of nuclear power has been marked by the Three Mile Island accident in 1979, Chernobyl disaster in 1986, and the Fukushima crisis in 2011. On March 11 of 2012, it will be exactly one year since a meltdown and explosion occurred at three nuclear reactors in Fukushima.

Despite the enormous risks and costs associated with nuclear power, the South African government has stated it is planning to order 6 more nuclear reactors in early 2012. On the African continent today, South Africa is the only country to possess a nuclear reactor, and its developments in this field will undoubtedly influence other African countries.

The Global Conference: Nuclear Power For Africa? will take place in Cape Town on March 8th – 9th of 2012. Registration is at 09h00 on 8th March for NGOs, and at 09h00 on 9th March for others.

FOR QUERIES, PLEASE EMAIL conference@koebergalert.org, or CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Schedule

8th March	NGO and activist day – Institute for Security Studies, Woodstock
Morning	Short presentations from each NGO and international guest Funding permitting, organisations from Egypt, India, Canada, Sweden, Australia, Japan, Kenya and others may be represented.
Afternoon	Introduction to each NGO present Discuss global anti-nuclear network, and spheres of activity Break into groups for discussions Group report backs Networking session Discussion
9th March	Panel discussions – The Townhouse Hotel conference centre, Corporation Street
Morning	Presentation re personal experience in Chernobyl 25 year later Presentation re effects in Fukushima on dairy farms Presentation from City of Cape Town/Eskom on Koeberg Emergency plan Panel discussion on emergency preparedness
Afternoon	Presentation re ethics and energy from faith community leader Presentation re practicality of renewable energy in South Africa Presentation re political and regulatory obstacles to renewable energy Panel discussion re the future of electricity generation in South Africa

Confirmed Speakers (click here for speaker profiles)

Anton Vdovichenko, Russia, Children of Chernobyl
Paul Saoke, Kenya, Public Health specialist
Bishop Geoff Davies, director of the Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute
Prof Wikus van Niekerk, Director of the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, University of Stellenbosch
Goran Bryntse, Swedish Renewable Energies Association board member
Gunther Pauli, entrepreneur and author of The Blue Economy

There are also activities planned before and after the above dates, please email conference@koebergalert.org for details.

Costs

There is no entrance fee for city or provincial officials, or members of the press.  Reduced fees apply to NGOs, ratepayer associations and students. Please register online by the end of Wednesday, 7th March.  You can also email us on conference@koebergalert.org to make arrangements.

Photography exhibition

5th – 17th March at the Erdmann Contemporary Photographers Gallery
Exhibition of Prypiat and Fukushima photos, Jan Smith
6th March 18h30: Opening night
10th March 10h00 – 13h00: Walk through with the photographer

Film festival

5th and 7th March at 18h15: Two short film nights upstairs at the Labia on Orange

Come and watch a selection of about ten TV news clips and short video documentaries which describe what happened at Fukushima, the unexpected radioactive fallout from the Bikini Atoll test, the Lucky Dragon Number 5 incident and why it was historically so important, how information about nuclear incidents is usually concealed from the public, and the possible effects on Jeffrey’s Bay of a nuclear plant there.  There will be time for a discussion and questions & answers.

11th March at 18h15: Into Eternity, the award winning documentary on nuclear waste in Finland

Captivating, wondrous and frightening, this feature documentary takes viewers on a journey never seen before into the underworld and into the future.

To reserve a place for any of these nights, please deposit R25 (or R50 for two places, etc) into FNB branch 210046, account number 6233 2652 991, with your surname followed by 5, 7 or 11 (for the date) as the reference. Tickets will also be available at the door for R30.

Fukushima day commemoration

11th March. Details to follow.
Other organisations planning any activity on the 11th are invited to contact us to discuss plans.