Developing Trust and Transparency with the Public II
The session was rather well attended and generated a lot of interactions with the audience, in the line with the first part of the same session which had taken place the day before.
The participants in the Y note session did underline the following 10 points to be remembered after the discussions, and to be conveyed outside the congress.
- Radiations are always in fashion, but eloquent examples are needed
How to communicate about radiations, risks, health impacts will always be in the heart of nuclear communication issues.
But on those complicated and rather scientific subjects, one can try to put forward understandable and lively examples so that the messages get through. - Sociology in the heart of public perception
There are proven links between the social profile and the way the general public understands and perceives the nuclear technology and associated risks or benefits. - Opinion polls are a rich but dangerous tool
Several presentations were made based on survey experiences in various countries. Doubts were brought up that those tools should be used very carefully, since you can have the results of an opinion survey be what you chose it to be when you order it.
Any attempt to conduct this kind of action in the sensitive nuclear field should be organised together with an independent body when feasible so that the data gain credibility. - Why are Eastern European participants much more involved in presenting papers on that subject than their Western fellows?
… which lead the group to the recommendation that participation to these communication sessions should be encouraged from the Western participants for the next congress. - A IYNC book on the nuclear history
A proposal was made to write altogether a book on the international history of nuclear technology. The idea was unanimously said to be interesting, even though the project should be preceded with a market study precising the target, languages and aim of this important work. - Impact of NPP visits
Several reports re-stated the positive influence that the visits of nuclear facilities can have on the public perception. - What do IYNC members themselves think about nuclear activities?
Before getting to know what the public thoughts and questions are about nuclear activities, it was quoted that identifying IYNC members own thoughts and questions can be a relevant first step… - Direct contacts with the general public?
In the light of an experience with a youth festival, the audience recognized that there is no other equivalent way to present he technology than direct talks with the people. Also this type of communication is very efficient, it is noted tat it is demanding a lot of investment in time, and that one should not think of convincing the people but rather only to increase the global knowledge and open the dialog. - How to address the military connections of our activity in communicating with the public?
There was underlined during discussions a strong disagreement between participants on how the nuclear industry should deal in communicating its links to the military business. Part of the audience considered we should each time present both sides of the activity, the other part supporting the idea that those activities should be clearly disconnected, even as far as communication is concerned. - Role of YG in communication with the public
Finally, it was stated once again that Young Generation probably has a relevant role to play in communicating towards the public, and especially towards the youth, as tits communication ways are new and favour a more open dialog, on the way to a consensus rather than to persuasion.
