Partnering for Long-Term Management of Radioactive Waste, Evolution and Current Practice in Thirteen Countries

The search for sites for radioactive waste management (RWM) facilities attracts attention from implementers, government bodies, local communities, and the public at large. Facility siting processes, in general, tend to be marred by conflicts, disagreements, and delays. In response a shift has taken places, in the RWM area, from a more traditional "decide, announce, and defend" model to one of "engage, interact, and co-operate." The essence of the new attitude is an approach of cooperation or partnership between the implementer and the affected communities, involving dialogue between experts and citizens, mutual learning, and public involvement in the process of decision making. National ministries and authorities have also been called to play a more visible role. The intensity and degree of partnering may vary from country and in different phases of project development.