Impact of Nuclear Information on Young People's Knowledge and Attitudes: Methods/Participatory tools in an Educational Program WP1

Despite in Romania nuclear research activities were started in early 50s, the nuclear power is very young. First NPP, Cernavoda Unit 1, about 600 MWe, was in operation since 1996. Next unit (Cernavoda Unit2) will be in operation at the end of 2007. Therefore, a relative low amount of high level waste was produced. However, some problems already exists in Romania, mainly related to historical radioactive wastes released by nuclear industry and research. Although the radioactive waste (RW) problem is not critical in Romania [COWAM2, Berlin-Romanian case study], in the next future important changes are expected, mainly caused by spent fuel accumulation in Cernavoda and the society trends. Nowadays, in Romania, the public acceptance is based on a relatively low level of information and participation [1]. We appreciate RW problem should be critical in 10-15 years. In this context the research theme CHK-3 is intended to investigate the methods needed to prepare young generation for a future participation in the decision making process (DMP). This is the first motivation to work with young people in this research. The second motivation is strongly connected with the knowledge transfer aspects. Three years ago, we saw in COWAM2 project the main support for our understanding for public participation in the DMP. A real transfer of knowledge (both positive and negative aspects) from European experience to the Romanian actors is possible only if the theoretical facts will be transferred into practice. CHK-3 theme is an experimental study for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of different methods used to inform and involve people in the DMP.