Ethics, risk communication and practical radiological culture in post-nuclear accident
situations: the role of experts in empowering affected people
Working Seminarorganized by Atomic Bomb Disease Institute (ABDI), Nagasaki, Japan and
Nuclear Evaluation Protection Centre (CEPN), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
Date: 28-29 November 2017
Venue: Bauduin Lecture Hall (Ryojun Auditorium 2F)
Nagasaki University School of Medicine
1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 8528523, Japan
BackgroundThe experience gained in the territories affected by the Chernobyl accident in Belarus andFukushima in Japan has shown that medical and radiological protection experts were notadequately prepared to cope with the complexity of the consequences of these accidents andparticularly to engage themselves with the affected population. This verdict emerged clearly inthe accidental phase but remains valid today at a time when the residents of the contaminatedterritories have to make difficult choices for themselves and their families about the future. In
such context, the contributions of experts in the medical and radiological protection fields are noteasy to structure and often clash with the expectations of the local populations which are difficult
to satisfy. The ethical positioning of experts in this context is paramount.
Beyond the unavoidable scientific and technical dimensions, experts have to face the numerous
concerns and interrogations of the people due to the presence of radioactivity in their daily
environment, which remain without answers despite the flow of information. They are also
confronted to the disintegration of the family life as well as of the social and economic fabric.
Several local experiences in Fukushima, as earlier in Chernobyl, have demonstrated theimportance for experts to dialogue with the affected communities in order to better understandtheir concerns and expectations, to cooperate with them to evaluate the local radiologicalsituations and finally to empower them in order to face the situation and make informed decisions.
The engagement from experts together with local authorities and leaders at the service of theresidents has proved to be an effective approach to develop the indispensable practical radiation
protection culture for affected people to regain confidence and control on their daily life.

The objective of the Seminar will be for the participating experts, professionals and local leaders
to share their current experiences on the difficulties and challenges they faced in engaging withthe affected communities after the Fukushima accident. In this perspective, particular emphasis
will be placed on better identifying and understanding the ethical issues associated withstakeholder involvement, risk communication and the development of the practical radiologicalprotection culture in the recovery phase after a nuclear accident.
What ethical position to adopt to ensure the fairness of the engagement process? How to avoid
the pitfalls of risk communication? What are the conditions and means for developing a shared
representation of the radiological situation between experts and the affected citizens? How to put
this co-expertise process at the service of improving the living conditions of the affected
communities? How to disseminate and also ensure the sustainability of good practices? These arethe questions to be discussed during the Seminar in order to improve the preparedness of experts
and professionals in case of future nuclear accident.

AgendaTuesday 28 November 2017
1400-1420

Introductory remarks

1420-1440

Noboru Takamura (Nagasaki University)

1440-1500

Kenji Kamiya (Hiroshima University)

1500-1520

Masayuki Fukusaku (Higashi-Nihon International University)

1520-1540

Shinji Maeda (ALPINE)

1540-1600

Coffee break

1600-1620

Juichi Ide (Kawauchi village)

1620-1640

Masaharu Maeda (Fukushima Medical University)

1640-1700

Thierry Schneider (CEPN)

1700-1800

Discussion

Wednesday 29 November 2017
1000-1300

Working group discussions

1300-1400

Lunch

1400-1500

Report of Working Groups

1500-1600

General discussions and summary

Participants list
1. Jacques Lochard (Nagasaki University)
2. Shunichi Yamashita (Nagasaki University)
3. Noboru Takamura (Nagasaki University)
4. Ohtsura Niwa (RERF)
5. Masaharu Maeda (FMU)
6. Elisabeth Cardis (Barcelona Institute for Global Health)
7. Toshiaki Honma (NRA)
8. Thierry Schneider (CEPN)
9. Mélanie Maître (CEPN)
10. Makoto Miyazaki (FMU)
11. Makiko Orita (Nagasaki University)
12. Yoshiko Fukushima (Nagasaki University)
13. Kenji Kamiya (Hiroshima University)
14. Yujiro Kuroda (FMU)
15. Masayuki Fukusako (Higashi-Nihon International University)
16. Ryoko Ando (Ethos)
17. Juichi Ide (Kawauchi Village)
18. Shinjiro Maeda (ALPINE)
19. Jean-François Lecomte (IRSN)
20. Christopher Clement (ICRP)
21. Haruyuki Ogino (ICRP)
22. Sergey Shinkarev (FMBA, Russia)
23. Edward Lazo (OECD)