Minutes of
2009 FNCA Project Leaders Meeting
on Public Information of Nuclear Energy

The FNCA 2009 Project Leaders' Meeting (PLM) on Public Information (PI) of Nuclear Energy was held at the Crowne Galleria Plaza, Manila, Philippines on December 7 - 11, 2009. The PLM was held in conjunction with the 37th Atomic Energy Week celebration at the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) in Manila.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the PNRI, and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan jointly hosted the Meeting in cooperation with the Nuclear Safety Research Association (NSRA) of Japan.
Project Leaders from Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, The Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam and an observer from Korea attended the meeting. A list of participants and the program of the PI PL meeting are attached to the Minutes as Attachment 1 and Attachment 2.

Participation in the Atomic Energy Week Opening Ceremonies
On December 7, 2009, the participants attended the Opening Ceremonies of the 37th Atomic Energy Week (AEW) celebration held in the morning at PNRI. DOST Undersecretary Prof. Fortunato T. Dela Pena and PNRI senior staff officials acknowledged the presence of Dr. Sueo Machi, FNCA Coordinator of Japan, and the PI PL Meeting participants during the opening ceremonies program.
Before attending the AEW Opening ceremonies, Dr. Sueo Machi, together with Ms. Eulinia M. Valdezco, a senior staff official of PNRI, had a live interview at 9:00am - 10:00am at the National Broadcasting Network (NBN) television program "People's Government in Mobile Action" on the topics regarding PNRI projects, nuclear power and FNCA activities, among others.
The participants also attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the AEW exhibition. Four posters on the applications of nuclear technology were provided by the National Nuclear Energy Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (BATAN) through the PIPL of Indonesia for display during the AEW exhibition. Various irradiated products as well as novelty and promotional items from BATAN and Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) were also provided to PNRI to be given as prizes to students and professionals during the AEW exhibit quiz and other public information activities.

Session 1: Opening Session
The Opening Session of the PL Meeting was held in the afternoon at Crowne Plaza Galleria.. Ms. Eulinia M. Valdezco, Chief of the PNRI Nuclear Regulations, Licensing and Safeguards Division, delivered the welcome remarks on behalf of the PNRI Director, Alumanda M. Dela Rosa. In her address, Ms. Valdezco stressed the importance of public information especially in countries which are planning to embark on a nuclear power program. On behalf of MEXT, Mr. Takashi Tadokoro gave the opening remarks. Mr. Tadokoro mentioned the importance of providing the public with right information and knowledge on nuclear technology and its role in reducing global warming and in ensuring energy security.

Session 2: FNCA Report
(Chair and Co-chair: Ms. R. R. Leonin and Mr. M. Kubo)
Following the opening session, Dr. Sueo Machi, gave a presentation on the Progress and Plan of FNCA activities in 2009. The scope of Dr Machi's presentation was on the outcomes of the 9th Ministerial Level Meeting held in November 2008 in Manila, Philippines; the 10th FNCA Coordinators' Meeting in March 2009 in Tokyo, Japan; and the FNCA project accomplishments and plans.

Session 3: Present Status of Public Information Activities
(Chair and Co-chair: Ms. D. T. Hong and Dr. A. S. Mollah)
Mr. Minoru Kubo, PI PL of Japan, presented a summary of public information activities on nuclear energy on the following areas: Asia Nuclear Cooperation Network, Communication with the Media, Regional Speakers Bureau, Training of Nuclear Communicators, FNCA symposium/open seminar and other specific results and outcomes like the FNCA Newsletter and FNCA webpage.

Session 4: Country Reports
(Chairs and Co-chairs: Mr. S. Boonpotipukdee and Ms. M Razali, Mr. Sun Yang and Dr. Syahril)
Country reports were presented by the FNCA PI PLs from Bangladesh and China in the afternoon of December 7 and from Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam in the morning of December 8.

The topics covered in the country reports consisted of the following:

-	Present status of nuclear power generation and/or radiation application
-	Public information activities of nuclear issues
-	Future plan for public information activities
-	Results and benefits gained from FNCA activities

The representative from Korea also gave a report on peaceful nuclear programs and nuclear public information activities in Korea.

Session 5: Result of Preliminary Survey
(Chairs and Co-chairs: Mr. Sun Yang and Ms. D. T. Hong, Dr. Syahril and Dr. A. S. Mollah)
In the afternoon of December 8, the FNCA PI PLs presented the results of the 2009 Preliminary Public Opinion Survey followed by a discussion on the validity of questionnaire and method of the survey.
In the evening of December 8, a welcome dinner reception at Barbara's Restaurant in Intramuros, Manila was hosted by PNRI.

Session 6: Public Information Seminar
Master of Ceremonies and Moderator:
Mr. Angelo Palmones - President of the Philippine Science Journalists Association Incorporated
In the morning of December 9, a Public Information Seminar on Nuclear Energy was held at PNRI. Dr. Corazon C. BERNIDO, PNRI Deputy Director, gave the welcome address and Dr. Sueo Machi, delivered the opening remarks. They stressed the need for public information to enhance public understanding of nuclear energy.
The Seminar consisted of three parts:

Part 1. "World Trend of Nuclear Power for Energy Security and Mitigation of Climate Change"
The topics and speakers for Part 1 were the following:

(1)	"Global Trend and Japan's Program of Nuclear Power for Sustainable Development" by Dr. Sueo Machi, FNCA Coordinator of Japan and Former Commissioner of Japan Atomic Energy Commission
(2)	"Nuclear Power Policy and Program of the Philippines" by Ms. Lilian FERNANDEZ, OIC Assistant Secretary, Department of Energy
(3)	"Rapid Growth of Nuclear Power in China" by Mr. Sun YANG, Deputy Chief of Department, News Center of China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA)

Part 2. "Public Information in Enhancing Understanding of Nuclear Power"
The topics and speakers for Part 2 were the following:

(4)	"Public Acceptance of Nuclear Power and Public Information Program in Japan" by Mr. Mitsuhiro YOKOTE, Executive Managing Director and Secretary General of Japan Atomic Energy Relations Organization (JAERO)
(5)	"Public Information Program of Nuclear Applications and Power in Malaysia" by Ms. Myra Liyana RAZALI, Publication Officer, Corporate Communications and Information Management, Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia)
(6)	"Importance of Enhancement of Public Understanding on Nuclear Power in the Philippines" by Ms. Lyn RESURRECCION, Science Page Editor, Business Mirror

The seminar was attended by around 100 participants composed of the FNCA PI PLs and representatives from the Philippine media, academe, government agencies, non government organizations (NGOs) and members of the Philippine inter-agency core group on nuclear energy.

Part 3. Round Table Discussion by Speakers and Participants

Questions and comments raised by participants were mainly on the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant and the policy of the government regarding the nuclear power program in the Philippines. Some attendants of the seminar, including the NGO representatives, also emphasized that FNCA should establish linkage with NGOs to make optimal use of nuclear technology to address regional issues such as environmental protection/ preservation and energy security. The questions/comments were addressed by Ms. Eulinia Valdezco, Assistant Secretary Lilian Fernandez and Dr. Sueo Machi.

Session 7: Policy and Strategy for Improving Public Information
Chair: Ms. R. R. Leonin
In the afternoon of December 9, Mr. Minoru Kubo made a presentation entitled "Science for the People, in the People Importance of Public Information Activities." The topics covered in the presentation were on the following:

-	Overview of public information in Japan Atomic Energy Agency
-	Measures and methods of effective communications with the media
-	Communication with local public people
-	Communication with local industries
-	Outreach activities by scientists and engineers

Mr. John Keuk Chung from Korea gave a brief presentation on the topic "Some Considerations in Public Information Program". The topics presented were the following:

-	Nuclear - related arguments by opposition groups
-	Messages by anti-nuclear groups
-	Messages by nuclear community
-	Types of target groups

This session was attended by the FNCA PIPLs and nine members of the Public Information and Consultation Team of the Philippine Inter-Agency Core Group on Nuclear Energy. The members consisted of representatives from the Department of Energy, Science and Technology Information Institute of the Department of Science and Technology, National Power Corporation and PNRI.
Dr. Machi served as the moderator for the round table discussion. Among the important points discussed by each PI PL were as follows:

-	most influential and most trusted target groups in each country
-	strategies in reaching out to these influential target groups
-	transparency in giving of information regarding nuclear energy

Session 8: How to Conduct a Full - Scale Survey
Chair and Co-Chair: Mr. M. Kubo and Mr. Sun Yang
On December 10, Mr. Mitsuhuro Yokote made a presentation on "How to Conduct a Full-Scale Survey". The PI PLs discussed the target, number of target respondents, method, time schedule and budget for the conduct of the survey. The PI PLs agreed on the following:

-	Target - high school and university students
-	Number of respondents - minimum of 300 high school students and 300 university students
-	Method - random sampling
-	Time schedule - depends on each country but the survey results should be presented at the next PI PL Meeting in 2010
-	Budget - FNCA encouraged each member country to conduct a full-scale survey on its own scheme. However, FNCA will try to explore the possibilities to support the activities.

Session 9: Future Plans of Public Information Project (Including 3 - Year Plan)
Chair: Ms D. T. Hong
After the discussion on the full-scale survey, Mr. Hideharu Sato, Senior Staff Researcher of the Nuclear Safety Research Association, presented the future plans for the FNCA public information activities (Attachment 3). Based on the plans, the following were proposed:

-	Conduct of a full-scale survey for high school and university students (Number of respondents - minimum of 300 high school students and 300 university students)
-	Revisit the science curriculum in the high school level as well as the content of high school textbooks such as in physics. Each country could compare results of the contents of the textbooks. It was recommended that a proposal be submitted to FNCA coordinators' meeting regarding a study on the contents of high school textbooks for cross-country comparison of results.
-	Develop more creative public information strategies such as dissemination of information on nuclear energy through the Internet social networking sites such as Facebook and blogs.

In the afternoon of December 10, the PI PLs had a technical tour of the following facilities of the St. Luke's Medical Center: nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, cyclotron and Positron Emission Tomography (PET).

Session 10: Reviewing of DVD/Video and Poster/Pamphlets
Chair: Ms D. T. Hong
On December 11, the PI PLs of each member country presented their respective audio-visual presentations and educational research materials in DVD format and/or pamphlets/posters. Through these materials, information exchange has served as a very valuable tool for the promotion and dissemination of nuclear information, among member countries. Hence, this practice should be continued for the future FNCA PI PL meetings.

Session 11: Next Place of PLM
Chair: Dr. A. S. Mollah
The PI PLs proposed Vietnam to host the PIPL Meeting in 2010, followed by Thailand in 2011 and Bangladesh in 2012.

Recommendations

(1)	The meeting recognized that the Regional Speakers' Bureau was a success and should be continued due to its importance in PI activities among FNCA member countries.
(2)	Open seminars should be arranged during the course of every FNCA PIPL meeting in collaboration with IAEA.
(3)	Each member country should exchange their DVDs and public information materials to enhance their PI program.
(4)	FNCA should introduce public information activities of member countries in FNCA meeting such like Coordinators meeting.
(5)	The FNCA member countries strongly felt the need to disseminate public information in new ways to meet the constantly-changing social, economical and political situations in the society.

Other Matters

(1)	A photo release entitled "RP Hosts Forum for Nuclear Cooperation In Asia on its 37th Atomic Energy Week Celebration" was uploaded on the website of the Department of Science and Technology (www.dost.gov.ph)) on December 8, 2009.
(2)	A photo release of Dr. Machi and some PI Pls viewing the PNRI exhibits was published in the Business Mirror, on December 8, 2009.
(3)	Dr. Machi was interviewed by Ms. Lyn Resurreccion (S & T Page Editor of the Business Mirror) on December 9, 2009 on nuclear power in Asia. An article regarding the interview was published on January 17, 2010 (Sunday) in the Science Section of the Business Mirror with the title " Five Asean Countries Going Nuclear".

Closing Session
On behalf of the participants of the 2009 FNCA PI PL Meeting, Mr. M. Kubo, Project Leader of Japan and Executive Officer, Director of Public Relations Department, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), expressed his appreciation to the following for making the meeting possible and successful: the Department of Science and Technology through the PNRI; the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan; and the Nuclear Safety Research Association (NSRA) of Japan.
The participants expressed their gratitude for the excellent arrangement of the meeting and the hospitality of the Philippines.
The PIPL Meeting was officially closed by Ms. R. R. Leonin, PI Project Leader of the Philippines, on behalf of the Director of PNRI, Dr. Alumanda M. Dela Rosa.