Following the second edition of the Nuclear Risk Communication Training Course, the NEA will host the 2024 session in Ottawa, Canada. This training course will focus on communicating risk on a daily basis. Its aim is to improve the effectiveness of risk communication in order to enhance public understanding.

Over four days participants will interact 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 risk

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

• Overview of risk communication objectives and challenges, and definition of its components
• Nuclear risk communication 
• Stakeholder engagement
• How to address risk perceptions
• How to build trust
• Group discussion on social media and its impacts on risk perception and trust

Session 2: The art of effective risk communication

• Designing a risk communication strategy
• The importance of plain language
• Implementing a risk communication plan
• Evaluating your strategy and plan
• Your audience - messaging - get to the point
• Group discussion on nuclear topics

Session 3: The techniques, practical implementation and specific challenges

• Techniques, tools and channels in nuclear and radiological risk communication
• Communication rules
• Countering rumours, conspiracy theories and fake news in the misinformation landscape
• Fukushima topics
• Working together with technical staff, management and others within the organisation
• Group discussion on AI
• Preparation for the final project

Site tour (optional): 1 November 2024

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.

• Participants should register by 23 August 2024
  REGISTRATION
• Registration fee (payable on acceptance): EUR 750
• Participant numbers are limited to 35-45, with selection based on a number of factors that aim to assemble a diverse representation of nationality, gender, professional background, motivation (among others).