THE SYMBOLIC DIMENSION OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT

Report of a Topical Session held at the 9th Regular FSC Meeting (June 2008) and Related Desk Research

The Forum on Stakeholder Confidence (FSC) on radioactive waste management has found that
key concepts of radioactive waste management (RWM) (e.g. safety, risk, reversibility, retrievability) carry different meanings for the technical community and for non-technical stakeholders. Also, some highly value-laden socio-economic concepts (e.g. benefit packages, community, landscape) are interpreted differently by different societal groups and opinions and attitudes are not simply a reflection of decision-making, actual events and communicated messages. Perceptions and interpretations of events and objects also play a significant role. FSC members want their behaviour, decisions and writing to be highly coherent with the
societal values embodied in waste management endeavours. The FSC intends to become better aware of ‘symbolic’ meanings (i.e. meanings that, for different groups, may resonate beyond the obvious) in their actions. Awareness of additional dimensions of meaning beyond dictionary definitions, and recognition that dialogue is shaped by more than just concrete realities, may help to find ways of creating nonconflictual and constructive relationships amongst stakeholders.

This document contains the most important elements of the presentations and the discussions from a FSC topical session on radio-active waste management, plus additional elements from ad-hoc research.

Source: OECD Report NEA/RWM/FSC(2008)5/REV1

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