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SALUDAS ICRP INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION ICRP is delighted to congratulate the Spanish Society for Radiological Protection (SEPR) on the 40th anniversary of its founding in November 1980. Since then, SEPR has become a well-respected organisation, both nationally and internationally, representing professionals in all areas of radiological protection and publishing its own journal. SEPR has had a close relationship with ICRP for many years and it has been a pleasure to work with SEPR members who have also been active members of the Main Commission and Committees of ICRP. Most notably, this includes SEPR member and ICRP Main Commission Member Emeritus (formerly ICRP Committee 3 Chair) Eliseo Vañó. A particularly important event on which our organisations collaborated was The Second European Workshop on the Ethical Dimensions of the Radiological Protection System, hosted by SEPR in Madrid in February 2015. It brought experts from Europe and beyond to the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid to investigate the application of eth- ics focusing on occupational exposure, medical exposure, and public exposure associated with legacy and radioactive waste. The results were an important input into ICRP Pub- lication 138 Ethical Foundations of the System of Radiolog- ical Protection. As SEPR commemorates this significant anniversary during 2021, ICRP wishes SEPR every success for many years to come and hopes that the longstanding collaboration between our organisations can continue long into the future. Yours Sincerely, Claire Cousins Chair Chair of the International Commission on Radiological Protection - ICRP IRPA INTERNATIONAL RADIATION PROTECTION ASSOCIATION Dear President, colleagues and friends, On behalf of IRPA I am very pleased and proud to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Span- ish Radiation Protection Association. 40 years is a fine age, with a great track record. The SEPR is now part of the 5 largest radiation protection associa- tions in the world. However, the SEPR is for me a story of human relations and friendships forged since I have been working in radiation protection. Too many Presidents that I have had the chance to have known to be able to name them all. I have fond memories of our friend Leopoldo Harranz, whom I affectionately consider as a pioneer for Spain and who developed the SEPR extensively with his resolve to open up to the international scene, I’m also thinking of my relationship with Pío Carmena and the memorable evening that we spent together in Buenos Aires, and of course of my friend Eduardo Gallego with whom I was elected to the Executive Committee of IRPA in 2008 and after his involve- ment in the Madrid Conference, is once again a keynote speaker at the IRPA Congress in 2028. Spain has always served the international community with the SEPR, and the best recognition of the year is to allocate the Rolf M. Sievert Award 2020 to Eliseo Vañó, whose competence is only rivalled by his kindness. As always I am impressed with the major role of historical big sister that the SEPR plays for all the Caribbean and South American radiation protection associations. This solidarity demonstrated by all the Spanish-speaking coun- tries constitutes a real strength and an example for all the IRPA associations The Spanish association has always been a driving force on the international front and for development of IRPA. I have never forgotten the first congresses with the Italian and French associations at the end of the 90s in Montpellier, Barcelona and Florence, which were the forerunners of what are now the European congresses run by IRPA. So on behalf of IRPA I wish you a fantastic birthday and will be at your side so that in 8 years’ time the Valence Con- gress after the one held in Madrid is a memorable event for the international radiation protection community. Best wishes, Bernard le Guen President of IRPA RADIOPROTECCIÓN • No 100 • Abril 2021 5