19th INPRO Dialogue Forum on Enhancing Public Acceptance of Nuclear Energy through Institutional Innovations

  International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO)

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​7–10 December 2021 | Virtual Event

While Nuclear energy has been one of the major sources of electricity with its role in achieving sustainable development and mitigating climate change, public acceptance and national policy uncertainties still constitute hurdles to the once envisaged nuclear renaissance.
 
Public attitudes and the policies of nations and institutions toward nuclear energy have changed over time. Many researchers have explored the determinants of public acceptance of nuclear power and the impact on national policies. These researchers identified various factors such as benefits, risks, upfront costs, knowledge, and trust as base characteristics to understand the issue of public acceptance. Researchers have also identified driving forces related to these factors which depend on experience in operating nuclear power plants and the geographical, environmental, political, economic, and cultural conditions of a country.

Among many benefits, energy security has been considered a major contributor to the public support and government policy for nuclear energy development. Recently, the positive impact of nuclear energy on climate change created a penetration of acceptance of this technology into the ranks of environmentalists.

On the other hand, risks of nuclear power such as safety, security, proliferation, and environmental impacts are exceptionally high among the public in comparison with other types of technologies. In addition, numerous studies have shown that the nuclear accidents at Three Mile Island (1979), Chernobyl (1986), or Fukushima (2011) have significantly eroded public acceptance of nuclear power.

​For a significant improvement of public acceptance of nuclear energy, both technological and institutional innovations to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks and the up-front costs of nuclear energy are essential.

The objectives of the 19th INPRO Dialogue Forum are to:

• Provide a platform for Member States to discuss various aspects of multilateral or bilateral partnerships and strategic alliances.
  
• Recognize the importance of public acceptance and robust government policy needed for a sustainable nuclear power programme.
• Identify different institutional and technological factors that affect public acceptance of nuclear energy.
  
• Explore the role of institutional and technological innovations for enhancing public acceptance and government backing.
  
• Explore the roles that various institutions can play to enhance public acceptance of nuclear energy, with a focus on educational institutions.
• Share best practices and lessons learned from cases of success or failure in different organizations and countries.
  
• Share new ideas and suggestions for innovations that will bring significant improvement of public acceptance.
  

Working Documents

• Information ​Sheet
  
• Ag​enda (updated 2021-12-09)​
  

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Presentations​​

Opening Session​

• Opening Remarks
  Mr Mikhail CHUDAKOV, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy, IAEA
• 20 Ye​ars of INPRO​
  Mr Brian BOYER, INPRO Section Head, IAEA
  

Session I: The Importance of Public Acceptance​​

• Public Acceptance of Nuclear Energy: International Comparative Perspective​​
  Mr Wonjoon KIM, KAIST Graduate School of Innovation and Technology Management​, Korea
  
• Public Understanding of Nuclear Energy: it’s not (just) about the science​​
  Mr Malcolm GRIMSTON, Imperial College, UK​
  
• Stakeholder Engagement in Nuclear Programmes: IAEA Assistance​
  Ms Irena CHATZIS, IAEA
  
• The Importance of public acceptance – the start-up perspective
  Mr Federico PUENTE-ESPEL, Denmark
  
• The IFNEC Contribution to Innovative Institutional Initiatives Related to the Back-End of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle​
  Mr Tomaz ZAGAR, International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC)
  
• Communication Plan to Enhance Public Acceptance of the Algerian Nuclear Power Program​​
  ​Mr Tahar ZIDI, Commission of Atomic Energy​, ​Algeria
  
• Gaining Community Trust in Nuclear Projects​
  Mr Jerry HOPWOOD, University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE)​
  
• Nuclear Energy Narratives and Realities​​
  Mr Robert HAYES, North Carolina State University, USA​​
  

Session II: ​The Role of Innovations

• The Role of Innovations​
  Mr Hussam KHARTABIL, IAEA​
  
• Cage or Catapult: The Importance of Institutional Factors in Shaping Public Perceptions​
  Mr John LINDBERG, World Nuclear Association​​ (WNA)
  
• Nuclear safety as a Cornerstone for Public Acceptance​
  Mr Alex POLYAKOV​, ​World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO)​
  
• Multinational Design Evaluation Programme (MDEP)​
  Ms Marina DEMESHKO, Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)
  
• Exploring Drivers and Concepts for International Research Collaboration Towards a More Sustainable Nuclear Energy Future​
  Mr John de GROSBOIS, Canada​
  
• Experience on Sodium Technology Training Course and STELLA Facility​
  Mr Jewhan LEE, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Korea
  
• Evaluation of Potential Nuclear Safety Research Reinforcing Public Acceptance in Thailand​
  Mr Wasin VECHGAMA, Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT), Thailand
  
• Semantic digital media as perspective knowledge management and public communication instrument​
  Mr Pavel YAKOVLEV, Russia
  
• International Communications and Education based on the concept of the "Proryv" project​
  Ms Daria MATVEEVA, Russia​
  

Closing Session

• Chair's Summary​​
  Mr ​Gabriel Lazaro​ PAVEL
  
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