 
Consensus Conference on radioactive waste management
Method(s) Used
Name of person who posted the project:Edward Andersson
Location of project:United Kingdom
Date when the project started:1999
Date when the project ended/project ongoing:1999
Background to project:This was the second UK national Consensus Conference on radioactive waste management. The subject matter was selected for its contentious and divisive nature which meant that a measured public view was much needed to steer policy makers.Purpose of project:The National Consensus Conference on Radioactive Waste Management was run by the UK Centre for Economic and Environmental Development (UKCEED), an independent sustainable development foundation.From a random sample of four thousand people a panel of 15 was selected. Care was taken so that there was a balance of men and women, educational backgrounds, and geographical spread in the panel. The Citizens' Panel was set up to "focus on the effective and publicly acceptable long-term management of nuclear waste in the UK, both civil and military, concentrating particularly on intermediate and high level waste." Project activities:Before the Conference the Panel was provided with balanced background information. The Panel attended two preparatory weekends. Out of a group of 80 experts who expressed an interest the panel selected 26 witnesses to testify before them.The Consensus Conference itself was held in London in May 1999. It was a four-day event, open to a wide audience. During the first two days of the Conference heard brief witness presentations, followed by further discussion and debate between the Panel and witnesses. Members of the audience were able to submit written questions throughout these two days. On the third day, the Panel retired behind closed doors to write a report on their conclusions and recommendations. On the final day the Panel presented their findings to the Conference and answered questions from the audience and media. Key figures from government, industry and environmental groups were invited to respond to the report. Project results:The Consensus Conference was successful in raising the profile of the issues around radioactive waste management as well as being able to get the participants to deal with a contentious and difficult subject matter in a considered way.Contact details:UK Centre for Economic and Environmental Development:Priestgate House 3/7 Priestgate Peterborough PE1 1JN Telephone: 01733-311644 Fax: 01733-312782 Email: c.saunders@ukceed.org Web: http://www.ukceed.org/ 
Web links: Danish Board of Technology: http://www.tekno.dk/subpage.php3?page=forside.php3&language=uk |
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