Following the first edition of the Nuclear Risk Communication Training Course, the NEA hosted the 2023 session in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This training course focused on communicating risk on a daily basis. Its aim was to improve the effectiveness of risk communication in order to enhance public understanding.

Over four days participants interacted with communication experts and technical professionals working in nuclear energy organisations to learn the fundamentals of risk communication.

E-learning (pre-work)

• Risk communication vs. crisis communication
• Introduction to nuclear and radiological risks

Session 1:  Why is risk communication important for nuclear organisations?

• Overview of risk communication objectives and challenges, and definitions of its components
• How audiences use information
• How to assess risk perception
• How to build trust
• How to deal with uncertainty
• Group discussion of Session 1

Session 2: The art of effective risk communication

• Identifying your target audiences
• Designing a risk communication strategy
• The importance of plain language
• Implementing a risk communication plan
• Evaluating your strategy and plan
• Risk perception and stakeholder engagement
• Group discussion based on Fukushima case study

Session 3: The techniques, practical implementation and specific challenges

• Techniques, tools and channels in nuclear and radiological risk communication
• What journalists need
• Countering rumours, conspiracy theories and fake news in the misinformation landscape
• How to handle public meetings in an effective manner
• Working together: Communicators working with technical staff, management and other staff members within their organisation
• Group discussion on mutiple topics (other sectors, AI, etc.)
• Preparation and presentation of the final project

Who should take this course?

Professionals working in nuclear regulatory organisations, technical scientific support organisations, agencies for radioactive waste management and other related governmental organisations responsible for communicating or engaging with the public and decision makers, about nuclear and radiological risks and associated topics.

Testimonials from course participants:

The programme was excellent content-wise.

Very nice and interesting to meet all leaders and participants at the course! Good to learn from each other!

The big win was to meet and speak with others, that was great.

All lecturers spent their free time with the participants, made an effort in remembering our names, organisations and countries.