Local Liaison Committees and National Association of Local Liaison Committees: the French experience

In the context of the governance of nuclear activities, especially in the field of the radioactive waste management, the self-structuring of civil society is a necessary condition of the citizens’ action. The experience of French “Commissions Locales d’Information” (CLIs) and their national federation the “Association Nationale des Commissions Locales d’Information” (ANCLI) represent an interesting and original example of local actors empowerment. In France, Local Information Commissions (CLI) are attached to most of the nuclear sites. These Commissions are pluralistic dialogue forums gathering various types of local actors (elected representatives, NGOs, local experts, trade unions and other local organisations) in order to facilitate dialogue of local actors with public authorities and operators. They address a variety of issues linked to the safety of the nuclear site and its impacts, including radioactive waste management issues.