A crucial aspect of decommissioning and legacy management, as with radioactive waste management (RWM) in general, is societal and includes developing general community confidence and acceptance of Decommissioning approach and RWM solutions. The decision-making process for RWM, decommissioning and legacy management, is couched in a socio-political context, in which issues of public concern and stakeholder engagement must be addressed. Management of conflict that arises surrounding public confidence, informed consent and agreement with technically supported strategies is also related to effective information, data and knowledge management.
Decisions related to implementing radioactive waste management (RWM), decommissioning and legacy management solutions typically require thorough public examination and the involvement of many stakeholders.
The Forum on Stakeholder Confidence (FSC) was established by the NEA Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC) in 2000 to foster learning about stakeholder dialogue and ways to develop shared confidence, informed consent and acceptance of RWM, decommissioning and legacy management solutions.
A stakeholder is defined as anyone with a role to play or an interest in the process of deciding about RWM, decommissioning and legacy management. The FSC provides a setting for direct stakeholder exchange in an atmosphere of mutual respect and learning.