With great pleasure, we would like to share the news that Radiation Safety Institute of Canada (RSIC) Board Member, and Scientific Secretary & CEO of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Christopher Clement, has been awarded the Foreign Minister’s Commendation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. This recognition is a remarkable and well-deserved honour, highlighting Chris’s outstanding contributions to radiological protection in Japan and worldwide. His work supporting response efforts following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, as well as his leadership in ensuring the success of ICRP 2023 in Tokyo, exemplify his commitment to advancing radiation safety and collaboration globally. and international collaboration in the field.
At the RSIC, we are proud to have Chris as part of our Board. His achievements resonate deeply with our own mission: to protect people, communities, and workplaces from the harmful effects of radiation through education, advocacy, research, and best practices. Chris’s leadership reminds us that building awareness and upholding the highest standards in radiation protection is not only a technical pursuit, but also a profoundly human one. It is about ensuring safety, trust, and partnerships.
This award also underscores the importance of the ICRP. Their role in shaping international standards directly impacts the work of regulators, practitioners, and educators across the world. RSIC’s programs, from training radiation safety officers to advancing occupational health research, are grounded in these very principles. By celebrating Chris’s recognition, we also celebrate the global framework of collaboration and knowledge-sharing that allows Canada to benefit from best practices and contribute to the worldwide community of radiation protection.
Equally important is the spirit of engagement and lessons learned that Chris embodies. His work in the aftermath of Fukushima demonstrated how international expertise, transparent communication, and scientific guidance can help communities recover and build confidence. At RSIC, we share that same belief that awareness, outreach, and the lessons of the past are critical to preparing for the future.
As we mark this achievement, we are reminded of the collective responsibility of all partners in radiation protection, regulators, practitioners, researchers, and educators alike. Together, we ensure that high standards are upheld and risks are managed.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Christopher Clement on this honour and thank him for his continued leadership. Looking forward, we are excited to support the work of the ICRP and to strengthen our own efforts in awareness-building, training, and advocacy. Chris’s achievement inspires us all, and we remain committed to advancing radiation protection in Canada and beyond.
