The Role of Experts in Post Nuclear Accident Rehabilitation: The Co-Expertise Process
- Details
- Category: Communications
- Published: Monday, 16 February 2015 10:21
LOCHARD J.
2nd ICRP Lecture, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan, 16 February 2015
Summary
The experience of Chernobyl and now from Fukushima shows that engaging local stakeholders in the management of the radiological situation is essential to rehabilitate their living conditions and restore their dignity. This experience also demonstrates the critical role of cooperation between experts and local communities to favor this engagement. Information and scientific explanations are not enough to create confidence and to restore the autonomy of people, which was severely amputated by the sudden irruption of radioactivity in their immediate environment. It is only through a process of dialogue between experts and local communities, combined with the characterization of the local radiological situation and of every individual, conducted together, that it is possible to gradually develop a radiological protection culture able to give everyone the opportunity to make informed decisions to protect oneself, given the prevailing circumstances.
The lecture presents the main steps of the co-expertise process that allow to develop the radiological protection cultural among people and thus enable everyone to act wisely with regard to exposures to radiation of themselves, their families, and their communities.
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