Every month, for you, EPWS presents the characteristics and activities of one Member Association.
Read all the previous Interviews with our Members here
Our member for January 2017 is the French association WiN (Women in Nuclear) – France
For WiN-France Dominique Mouillot, president of WiNFrance has accepted to answer our questions.
Contact this association: contact@win-france.org
Contact this member: contact@win-france.org
Association website: www.win-france.org
EPWS: If you wanted to describe your association in one sentence, what would you say?
D.M.: WiN-France offers to every woman working in all nuclear sectors a unique trans-disciplinary network.
EPWS: What are the objectives of your association?
D.M.: our objectives are the following ones:
– To inform the public, and more particularly women and young people about jobs and applications of nuclear sector through their expertise and their professional experience;
– To encourage young women to choose scientific or technical careers;
– To strengthen the visibility of women in nuclear business sectors (energy, medicine, research, etc…);
– To develop collaborations and partnerships with other French and foreign associations.
EPWS: what is the history of WiN-France, in a few words?
D.M.: At the beginning of the 90s, various opinion surveys established that the nuclear activities met more difficulties communicating with women than men, particularly in certain countries such as Sweden and Switzerland.
It is in this context that a European program « Women and nuclear energy » was launched within the framework of the European Nuclear Society (ENS) by women working in the nuclear power field. This program led to the creation in 1992 of Women in Nuclear (WiN). Soon after, the French Nuclear Society (SFEN) created WiN-France branch and organized the first international annual meeting in Paris of WiN in 1993.
WiN-France is co-founder of WiN Global and more recently of WiN Europe.
EPWS: Could you explain the organization of your association?
D.M.: WiN-France is ruled by a board under the authority of a President. This board includes a Vice-President, a General Secretary, a Treasurer and the Presidents of the local chapters.
The 2016 General Assembly was held in Cadarache in Southern France.
EPWS: What are its recent achievements?
D.M.: Among our achievements I would like to emphasis two of them:
IN 2015, WiN-France initiated the elaboration of a declaration for climate which was presented on the occasion of COP 21 after endorsement by WiN Global.
In 2009 with the support of Electricité de France WiN-France has launched the Fem’Energia award, which aims to recognize the exceptional contribution made by female students and professional women to nuclear activities in France and Europe.
EPWS: What is your agenda for the coming months?
D.M.: This is a very busy period especially in our actions towards young girls and boys. We are invited to participate in job forums and events to explain the interest of Scientific and Technical Studies and of all nuclear sectors.
EPWS: Are you collaborating with other EPWS members?
D.M.: Not directly, some of our members are also members of other EPWS associations.
EPWS: What do you expect from EPWS? In what ways can it help you develop your action?
D.M.: To help us in communicating on the Fem’Energia award. The 2017 call for participation will be available by the end of March 2017. This year a new category will be proposed to recompense a team of women.
