FNCA2008 Project Leaders Meeting of Public Information of Nuclear Energy (PLM) was held for 5 days from November 10 to 14, at ZIYU Hotel in Beijing, China, hosted by China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT). The participants were from Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippine, Thailand, Vietnam and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Participants of PLM

1. Outline of PLM

PLM aimed to enhance public understanding of nuclear energy and nuclear science and technology, through information exchange about public information activities conducted in each member country. Therefore, country report which covered public information activities in FNCA member countries (exhibition, seminar, lecture, meeting, special event etc) and updates on nuclear-related topics, among others, as well as last year.
Finishing previous 3 years work plan in last year (2007), Project Leaders (PLs) of the project had to discuss about new 3 years work plan in this meeting. As the new activity, public opinion survey was proposed last year. So PLs reported public opinion survey on nuclear energy which had been already conducted in each country, and considered pros and cons of conducting public opinion survey, survey method and object people. After all, PLs decided to conduct public opinion survey. It is decided that each country will submit plan of 10 questionnaires to FNCA secretariat. FNCA secretariat will organize the questionnaires gathered from member countries into 10 common questionnaires, which will be proposed in the 10th FNCA Coordinators Meeting, in order to obtain the permission.

2. Open Seminar

On November 11, the open seminar was held at Zixiayuan room of ZIYU Hotel. Dr. Sueo Machi,, FNCA Coordinator of Japan, Mr. Robert Ian Facer from IAEA, Mitsuhiro Yokote, Executive Managing Director & Secretary General of Japan Atomic Energy Relations Organization (JAERO), Mr. Song Gongbao, Director of Nuclear Fuel Cycle of CAEA and Mr. Shen Wenquan, Expert Committee of State Nuclear Power Technology Co. (SNPTC) were invited to the seminar as the lecturers. The audience was composed of PLs, local government staffs, staffs of nuclear related company and mass media. After the presentation, the audience issued various questions to lecturers and there were very good interaction.

Lecturers of the seminar

Audience of the seminar

3. Technical Tour

From the afternoon of 11th, participants of the seminar including PLs had a technical tour to visit experimental fast reactor in China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE). Being explained about construction of the reactor, participants visited upper section and control room of the reactor.

Technical Tour to CIAE

4. Nuclear Communicators Training by IAEA

On November 12, Nuclear Communicators Training by Mr. David Ropeik, Instructor of Harvard University who was dispatched by IAEA was held. PLs joined the training. At the beginning, Mr. Ropeik explained why people are afraid of nuclear. Following that, case study was conducted assuming the participants as senior officials of imaginary nation which is planning to introduce nuclear power. Participants learned effective method of public information in the supposed situation, such as, to whom, how kind of information should be transmitted.

Nuclear Communicators Training by IAEA

5. Reviewing DVD, Poster/Pamphlet for public information

Each country introduced DVD, poster/pamphlet made by related organization/company for the purpose of public information, as well as novelties.

Reviewing Japanese DVD provided by TEPCO

The FNCA 2008 Project Leaders Meeting (PLM) on Public Information (PI) of Nuclear Energy was held on November 10 - 14, 2008 at Zi Yu Hotel in Beijing, China.

The China Atomic Energy Agency (CAEA) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan jointly hosted the Meeting in cooperation with the Nuclear Safety Research Association (NSRA) of Japan and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The five-day meeting was attended by eight PI PLs from Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Also present during the meeting were Dr. Sueo Machi, the FNCA Coordinator of Japan; Ms. Yoko Kanamori, from MEXT; Mr. Huang Wei , Division Director, Department of International Cooperation, CAEA; Mr. Mitsuhiro Yokote from JAERO, Mr. Robert Ian Facer and Mr. Masayuki Kaneko from IAEA. The PI PLs/representatives from Australia and Korea were unable to attend. A list of overseas participants and the final program of the PI PL meeting are attached to the Minutes as Attachment 1 and Attachment 2.

Session 1: Opening Session
(Chairman: Mr. Huang Wei  Co-Chair: Mr. Minoru Kubo)
On November 14, 2008, at the Opening Session held at the Zi Yu Hotel, Dr. Yang Dazhu, Director of International Affairs of CAEA, delivered his welcoming address. In his address, he mentioned the need for sustained efforts on the development of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in China and other countries; the importance of exchange of experiences in various nuclear applications; and the significant contributions of FNCA in various areas.

On behalf of MEXT, Ms. Yoko Kanamori, gave the opening remarks. Ms. Kanamori expressed appreciation for the CAEA hosting the PI PL Meeting. She mentioned the importance of exchange/sharing of information and ideas through the Meeting; and in providing correct information to the public to enhance public acceptance and confidence.

Session 2: Country and FNCA/IAEA Report
(Chairman: Mr. Huang Wei  Co-Chair: Mr. Minoru Kubo)
Following the Opening Session, Dr. Sueo Machi, FNCA Coordinator of Japan, gave a presentation entitled "Progress of FNCA activities in 2008 - Perspective and Challenges for Sustainable Development". The presentation focused on the FNCA projects in the area of human resources development, public information, food and agriculture, Industry, health, nuclear safety culture, radioactive waste management, and research reactor utilization. Dr. Machi also reported the outcome of the 8th Ministerial Level Meeting in Tokyo last year.

Mr. Robert Ian Facer, Technical Head of Infrastructure Planning, Nuclear Power Engineering Section of the IAEA gave a presentation on the "IAEA Support for Introduction to Nuclear Power". In his presentation, Mr. Facer discussed the role that the IAEA plays in providing assistance to countries with nuclear power plants and to those planning to build one.

Session 2: Country Reports
(Chairman: Mr. M. Rosli Muda  Co-chair: Ms. Dang Thi Hong)
Country reports were presented by the FNCA PI PLs from Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The topics covered in the country reports consisted of public information activities in FNCA member countries (exhibition, seminar, lecture, meeting, special event etc) and updates on nuclear-related topics, among others.

Session 3: Summary of the PI Activities in Public Information of Nuclear Technology Present Status of the PI Activities
(Chairman: Ms. Rhodora R. Leonin  Co-Chair: Mr. Ferly Hermana)
Mr. Minoru Kubo, PI Project Leader of Japan, Executive Officer, Director of Public Relations Department, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) presented the FNCA PI activities that the PIPLs have benefited from since the past years. These activities include the following:

1)		Asia Nuclear Cooperation Network
2)		Communication with the Media
3)		Regional Speakers Bureau (RSB)
4)		Training of Nuclear Communicators
5)		Usefulness of the Project Leaders Meeting
6)		FNCA Open Seminar
7)		Other Specific Results and Outcomes

On the evening of November 11, a dinner reception was hosted by CAEA.

Session 4: Open Seminar
(Chairman: Mr. Zhang Yiwei  Vice Director of News Center, CAEA)
On November 11, a Forum on Nuclear Energy: Prospects and Development was held at the Zixiayuan Meeting Room. Mr. Ding Jiekui, Chief of News Center, CAEA officially opened the Seminar.

The forum was attended by 60 participants from the local government offices, nuclear power plant companies, the media, and FNCA PI PLs. There was very good interaction between the speakers and the participants during the question and answer session. The questions raised by the participants included the following:

In the afternoon of November 11, the participants of the seminar and the PI PLs had a technical tour of the first China Experimental Fast Reactor at the China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE), Fangshan District, Beijing.

Session 5: Nuclear Communicators Training
On November 12 - 13, an Information Workshop on Risk Communication for Nuclear Communicators, which was jointly organized by the IAEA and MEXT, was held at the Zixiayuan Meeting Room. About 40 participants (composed of PI PLs and local participants) attended the workshop. However, the PI PLs had the opportunity to attend only the first day's session and participate in the practical exercise on risk communication of a "Proactive Scenario for Nation Introducing a NPP". The names of the lecturers and participants are listed in Attachment 3.

Session 6: Public Opinion Surveys
(Chairperson: Ms Ketvarong Nukulkij  Co-Chair: Dr. M.S. Ali)
In 2007, it was decided in the PIPL meeting that each country would conduct an opinion survey and report the results or status in the meeting. In this regard, all the PI PLs presented their report /status of the opinion survey.

The proposed opinion survey on nuclear power under the FNCA was also discussed. The PI PLs agreed to have common questions suitable for all member countries. The initial questionnaires should be prepared by first quarter of 2009.

Session 7: Review of DVD/Video and Poster/Pamphlets Printed Materials of FNCA Member Countries
(Chairperson: Dr. M. S. Ali  Co-Chair: Ms Ketvarong Nukulkij)
Information exchange has served as a very valuable tool for the promotion and dissemination of nuclear information. Hence, as recommended in the past PI PL meeting, the sharing of DVD and printed materials among FNCA member-countries should be continued. DVDs, pamphlets and posters were presented and shared among member countries in the meeting.

Session 8: Discussion on Next Place for PIPL Meeting
(Chairperson: Mr. F. Hermana  Co-Chair: Ms D. T. Hong)
The PIPLs proposed the Philippines to host the PIPL Meeting in 2009, followed by Vietnam in 2010, and Thailand in 2011.

Future Plans:

1. The PIPLs proposed the Philippines to host the PIPL Meeting in 2009, followed by Vietnam in 2010, and Thailand in 2011.
2. Provide opportunities for media, diplomats, minister's councilors and NGOs to attend seminars/workshops on nuclear energy and to visit nuclear facilities in countries with advanced nuclear power program.

<Three-year Plan>

Other issues:

1. Request for speakers for national public information seminar through the Regional Speakers Bureau should be submitted to the FNCA Coordinator of Japan via FNCA secretariat from national FNCA Coordinator at least two months prior to the scheduled event. Experts from countries, other than Japan, could also be invited to public information seminars. Objectives and justification of request should be mentioned.
2. Information on experiences in nuclear power of countries like China, Japan and Korea should be shared with other FNCA countries through the FNCA website. The presentations of Dr. Machi and other speakers/lecturers on nuclear power and related topics should be provided to the FNCA secretariat for inclusion in the FNCA website.

Closing Session

Mr. Kubo, Project Leader of Japan and Executive Officer, Director of Public Relations Department, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) on behalf of the participants of the 2008 FNCA PI PL Meeting, expressed his appreciation to the following for making the meeting possible and successful: The China Atomic Energy Agency (CAEA); the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan; the Nuclear Safety Research Association (NSRA) of Japan; and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The PIPL Meeting was officially closed by Mr. Zhang Yiwei, Vice Director of News Center, CAEA.