The Long-Term Program for Research, Development and Utilization of Nuclear Energy (accepted by the Atomic Energy Commission on November 24, 2000) identifies the following as some of the basic prerequisites for the implementation of nuclear energy policy: It is necessary to give greater emphasis to the relationship with the public and society at large than ever before, it is necessary to have the trust of the public, and there must be a relationship of common well-being with siting regions.
The Commission therefore instituted the Conference for Public Participation and Decision Making for Nuclear Energy Policy on July 3, 2001. Its purpose is to work toward expansion of public participation in the process of formulating nuclear energy policy, and to establish a relationship of mutual trust with the public at large regarding nuclear energy policy.
(1)Core Member Meetings of the Conference for Public Participation and Decision Making for Nuclear Energy Policy
| Core Member Meetings of the Conference for Public Participation and Decision Making for Nuclear Energy Policy were instituted with expert members selected from a wide range of people of experience and academic standing, journalists, opinion leaders, and so on. (For information on the membership of the Core Member Meetings of the Conference for Public Participation and Decision Making for Nuclear Energy Policy, please see here.) The meetings are devoted to planning and studying various measures intended to broaden public participation in the formulation of nuclear energy policy. |
(2)Round-Table Conferences with Public Participation Held in Local Communities
| One modality for the formation of consensus on nuclear energy policy is to ask members of the public directly for their views regarding the process of nuclear energy policy formation and administration (extensive public hearings). That information is then reported directly to the body where policy is in the process of formulation (feedback). This is then repeated. Recognizing the importance of this cycle, the Commission instituted the Round-Table Conferences with Public Participation. |
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