Young Ethiopian professionals are set to take part in an international nuclear energy forum in Russia after winning spots in the Atoms Empowering Africa video contest, which offers an all-expenses-paid trip to Obninsk NEW 2026.
The fourth edition of Obninsk NEW will be held in Obninsk, Russia, from June 22 to June 27, 2026, bringing together students, young professionals and experts to discuss the peaceful uses of nuclear technologies and the future of international cooperation in the sector.
This year’s contest is being organized in partnership with the BRICS Nuclear Platform, which promotes cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Winners will join the forum’s broader program as well as a specialized summer school that combines lectures, seminars and workshops on nuclear science and technology.
The Atoms Empowering Africa contest invites young people aged 18 to 35 from African countries to submit short videos explaining how nuclear technologies could help address challenges in their home countries. Submissions are open until May 1.
The initiative is part of a wider effort to expand education and engagement among young African professionals in the nuclear field. Interest in the subject has also been rising among Ethiopian students, including one from Ethiopia who recently won a competition organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Africa’s future through nuclear science and technology.
According to organizers, the contest has been running since 2017 and has previously sent winners to Russia for educational and cultural visits, including tours of major nuclear industry sites and academic institutions.
Obninsk NEW is designed as an international youth forum focused on innovation, education and sustainable development in the nuclear field. The BRICS Nuclear Platform, meanwhile, seeks to strengthen corporate-level cooperation and promote nuclear power as a low-carbon energy source.
