International Symposium on Communicating Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies to the Public

Communicating effectively with the public and media about nuclear and radiological emergencies is a global challenge, which demands global and coordinated action. Producing the right message and disseminating it to the appropriate audience using the relevant channels and at the right time, all in order to support the effective implementation of protective actions and to minimize fear, require robust planning and preparedness. The rise of social media and citizen journalism as well as the acceleration of global communication have created both opportunities and challenges for nuclear communicators who need to plan, test, exercise, and adjust their activities to position themselves as the official voice of information for the public in an emergency.

Public communication has been highlighted as one of the most important challenges for the management of nuclear and radiological emergencies. By developing guidelines and organizing relevant training activities, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been working in and with Member States to assist in strengthening the capacity of organizations and governments to provide transparent, timely, clear, factually correct, consistent and easily understandable information to the public before and during emergencies. This symposium will foster new opportunities for coordination and boost the existing efforts of States and of international organizations with a role in the preparedness for and response to nuclear and radiological emergencies.

Objectives

This symposium will promote effective public communication during a nuclear or radiological emergency, and provide a forum for networking and information exchange. Participants will be invited to discuss the latest developments regarding communication with the public in a nuclear or radiological emergency, as well as to share their experiences and good practices, in order to further strengthen the preparedness of States and of the international community.

Uniting the communication and EPR communities, as well as other relevant stakeholders, the symposium will seek to achieve the following:

• Present contemporary public communication solutions, including methods and tools;
• Exchange information on national arrangements for public communication in a nuclear or radiological emergency;
• Share experiences and good practices in public communication in a nuclear or radiological emergency; and
• Discuss challenges and priorities in further strengthening public communication capabilities in the preparedness to respond to a nuclear or radiological emergency.

Audience

The symposium is intended to bring together:

• Governmental officials with responsibilities in communicating with the public and media in a nuclear or radiological emergency;
• Emergency planners, emergency responders and emergency managers;
• Experts in communication on nuclear safety and security matters related to EPR;
• Representatives of response and operating organizations;
• Interested media and communication professionals;
• Representatives of next generation nuclear professionals; and
• Other stakeholders involved in public communication for nuclear and radiological emergencies.

Registration

All persons wishing to participate in the symposium are requested to register in advance through the symposium web page.

No registration fee is charged to participants.

Key deadlines

30 March 2018:

• Participation Form (Form A)
• Form for Submission of a Paper (Form B) and abstract
• Grant Application Form (Form C)

26 June 2018: Notification of acceptance of papers

3 September 2018: Symposium presentations submission