Screenshot of webinar participants.
The NEA held a third and final preparatory webinar on 7 May 2025 in advance of its Fourth Stakeholder Involvement Workshop on Optimisation in Decision-Making: From Insight to Action, which will take place from 15 to 17 October in Paris.
This webinar addressed building effective frameworks for inclusive stakeholder engagement and brought together regulators, industry representatives, practitioners and civil society. Participants addressed practical challenges in stakeholder engagement and (re-)building trust over the lifetime of nuclear facilities and activities. Discussions focused on a series of scenarios, which covered new builds in countries embarking on nuclear energy programmes, life extensions of nuclear power plants, emergency response in areas of armed conflict and post-emergency management.
Several key points emerged. The need to build trust well before any crisis and to maintain it through ongoing and open dialogue was a recurring theme in the discussions. Participants stressed the importance of early engagement, sustained relationship-building, and going beyond technical explanations by including social, ethical and emotional perspectives. The value of inclusive processes to give voice to diverse and underrepresented groups was emphasised.
The need to manage mis- and dis-information, while ensuring clear and transparent communication in sensitive situations was also highlighted. Trusted, well-prepared spokespersons and tailored messaging were seen as essential to maintaining credibility.
Insights from the webinar will help to shape the agenda and structure of the October 2025 Stakeholder Involvement Workshop. One of the key objectives of the event will be to take concrete steps toward developing a framework for optimised decision making, grounded in shared experiences and practical lessons in support of fit-for-purpose implementation.
Register now to take part in this unique forum for open dialogue, learning and exchange in Paris this October. All interested parties are welcome to join.
