LAS, along its more than one-quarter century of existence, fulfilled the following roles, which, in my opinion, are unique: By being the only regional organization of its kind, it integrated the nuclear communities of all the countries in the region; By choosing to be a Section of the American Nuclear Society, rather than an autonomous Society, it integrated both the Latin American and North American nuclear technical communities, contributing to mutual understanding, not only at the technical level, but also in matters that are politically delicate; By achieving, along the years, to represent Latin America with equal weight to other regions of the world in international organizations (e.g., INSC), it contributed, in an essential way, to project its nuclear technical community in the wider world-wide scene.

Professional societies which have an international approach are one of the best ways to amplify the integration of people and organizations which have similar interests. Under this perspective I must say that I was very pleased to receive the invitation to join LAS in middle 80's. Having the opportunity to work together with my colleagues in LAS I was firstly involved in the task of integration of technical standards and after some years becoming LAS' president in 1992. I must say that it was a very enriching experience where I learned a lot and it helped me to improve my understanding and contacts in the globalization environment we are facing today in our personnal and professional lives. LAS is certainly an organization I will always be proud to be a member.

Which are the three sentences that provide the best description of the LAS/ANS' spirit, achievements and contribution to the community? · An organization that has evolved from "representing the interests of the professionals in the nuclear arena" to "having reached a deserved prestige by representing and safeguarding the expectations of the Latin American community in as far as nuclear issues are concerned". · An organization that, since its foundation, has always fostered and followed the path of a well-understood Latin American globalization. · A fourth of a century of ceaseless and productive work in the hands of a group of people who have enriched each other within the framework of an agreeable environment of professional friendliness. And, finally, as far as I am concerned, "an organization of which I will always be proud to be a member".

I think that the Latin America should have others organisations in other fields of activities, like the Latin American Section of ANS. It is a very privilegiated and unique forum for the nuclear business professionals. Several common problems and expectations were discussed and are frenquently discussed among the latin americans engineers and professionals. No other forum is available for such a discussion and interaction. During the period that I was president of LAS, I enphasized the important of developing the proper standard and regulations appropriated to every region. I still continue believing that commom regulations for the latin americans in the nuclear business would be a very strong point of common development. This policy would be of beneffit if others organisations in other fields of activities had the same common goal as the LAS.The Latin American Section of the ANS set a very good example how latin americans could work together in diferent areas of interest in benefitt of the whole Latin America.

In my opinion, the main role of the Latin American Section of the American Nuclear Society - LAS is to act as an integrating vehicle, non-governmental, of nuclear activities in the Americas. Since July 1998, LAS contributed to get together local nuclear societies of Argentina (Asociación Argentina de Tecnologia Nuclear - AATN), Brazil (Associação Brasileira de Energia Nuclear - ABEN), Mexico (Sociedade Nuclear Mexicana - SNM), Canada (Canadian Nuclear Society - CNS) as well as of the U.S. (American Nuclear Society - ANS) through meetings sponsored by LAS (Buenos Aires Nuclear Symposium and Washington Meeting of the Americas). This integration was reinforced, in Acapulco, in July 1999, during the International Joint Meeting on the Role of Nuclear Power to Mitigate Climate Change, co-sponsored by SNM, LAS, Federación Latino Americana de Sociedades de Protección Radiológica and Sociedad Mexicana de Seguridad Radiológica.

Looking at the 21st century, Latin America faces the challenges that the new millennium presents and these challenges can take on only with a change in mentality and with advanced technologies. Therefore the LATIN AMERICAN SECTION OF THE AMERICAN NUCLEAR SOCIETY is focused to innovate, develop and communicate a quality culture, safety and environmental protection based on the benefits that the use of Nuclear Energy provides to different areas with peaceful purposes, all with Latin American presence and participation. Promote extensive exchange of experiences in coordination with public and private organizations inside the nuclear community through the following activities: .Spreading the technological advances. .Participate in technological research. .Attending problem resolutions and consulting nuclear engineering related issues. .Foster mutual cooperation and work closer with in the nuclear community. .Organize meetings and congresses. .Continue promotional effort to increase number of collaborators. .Promote use of nuclear energy.

LAS-ANS is the result of a pioneering effort of several professionals and executives of nuclear organizations of the region. The continuity over more than 25 years show that pursuing free and fair cooperation among peoples and countries gave an encouraging result of diffusion of nuclear activities. During the time when nuclear energy in our region reached low ebb periods LAS-ANS contributed to keep closely linked the nuclear communities of our countries and encouraged professionals and managers to pursue in their efforts to maintain the nuclear option open. Nowadays, due to the better prospect foreseen for nuclear energy, the role of LAS-ANS will be to strengthen the scope of its activity in the region and to enlarge the participation of other countries to become active partners in this endeavor. To be a part of LAS is a professional achievement.