The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will host a three-day International Experts' Meeting on Enhancing Transparency and Communication Effectiveness in the Event of a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency from 18 to 20 June 2012. This meeting will provide a forum for discussing and exchanging information on the challenges of effective public communication during major emergencies. The communication experts come from Member States' parliaments, emergency response agencies, nuclear regulatory, safety and technical support organizations, as well as nuclear power plant operators and international organizations. The meeting is part of the Agency's implementation of the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety, endorsed by the Agency's Member States in September 2011.
The primary objectives of the meeting are to:
- Share experiences and identify lessons learned in communication and information dissemination during the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, including case studies of demonstrably effective outreach to the public;
- Identify means to improve transparency in public communications during a nuclear or radiological emergency; and
- Exchange best practices for developing explanatory and advisory information that can be issued in emergencies of major public concern.
The first working session will begin on 18 June at 14:00 CET in Conference Room M1 of the M-Building, in the Vienna International Centre (VIC). Please note that all sessions of the meeting are open to the press. Journalists are invited to attend the meeting and participate in discussions.
Journalists with permanent accreditation to the VIC need no further credentials. We encourage those journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation, to request it at UNIS Vienna.
All others must seek accreditation by contacting the IAEA Press Office; tel: [43-1] 2600-21279 or [43-1] 2600-21273).