The EAGLE project aims to improve communication about ionizing radiation risks between information sources, media, and the general public in Europe. It analyzes current education and communication strategies, identifies best practices, and develops recommendations. The project has conducted public opinion surveys in Belgium, and will survey France and Slovenia. Preliminary results show the public desires more information from various sources but has low knowledge. The project will continue dialogues and develop tools to enhance informed decision making about ionizing radiation risks.

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IMPROVING EDUCATION, TRAINING AND COMMUNICATION
WITH THE PUBLIC ON IONIZING RADIATION
International Conference on Human Resource Development for Nuclear
Power Programmes: Building and Sustaining Capacity
N. Zeleznik1
, T. Perko2
, I. Daris, M. Kralj3
, C. Mays4
, D. Diaconu5
Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe, REC CO Slovenia1
, Institute for Environment
Health and Safety, SCK CEN, Belgium 2
, National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management, ARAO,
Slovenia3
, Institut SYMLOG, France 4
, Institute for Nuclear Research, Romania 5
E-mail contact of main author: nadja.zeleznik@rec-lj.si
Abstract. In order to improve the education, training and communication processes for informed behavior and
decision-making related to ionizing radiation risk the European Commission launched in August 2013 a
coordination and support action called EAGLE (http://eagle.sckcen.be) under FP7-EURATOM. The project
aims at revealing and coordinating existing information and communication strategies targeting the general
public on the subject of ionizing radiation, its applications and its effects, taking into consideration also the
lessons learnt from the 2011 disaster in Fukushima (Japan). For this purpose, the EAGLE project is analyzing
the education, information and communication needs for the general public at EU level on ionizing radiation,
identifying and exchanging good practices in communication with citizens, addressing the gaps between
information sources, media and the general public and providing support based on modern communication
tools for the coordination of information and communication strategies for the general public. EAGLE research
plan, first results and possibilities for participation are presented.
1. Introduction
In Europe today, institutions, media and the general public exchange information about
ionizing radiation (IR) and associated risks. But from performed investigations it can be seen
that there is a big difference between the public perception and intentions of those who are
providing information on IR risk. The 2011 Fukushima disaster has demonstrated even greater
needs for further improving this communication. Therefore EC launched in 2013 the EAGLE
coordination and support action which aims at clarifying information and communication
strategies to support informed societal decision-making [1].
The project objective is to review national and international data, tools and methods within
different organizations who are providing the information on IR (such as nuclear authorities
and responsible institutions, provider of medical services, research and industry, called here
information sources), to look at different ways of information transfer and transformation
through classical and new media, and to investigate the reception of information among the
general public. EAGLE partners have stated the need to move toward the ideal of citizen-
centered communication. Several interactions with public are to be organized and established.
The results from workshops, dialogue groups and pilot actions aiming at generating a better
understanding of different perspectives, perceptions and information needs on IR will be
presented in recommendations. Consequently, a web-based Platform on communication related
to IR will be introduced with the mission to establish a forum for dialogue and exchange of
ETI material between all relevant European organizations.
Seven EU member states are represented among the partners (Belgium, Poland, France, Czech
Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Romania) thus providing necessary coverage and including
small and large institutions otherwise involved in communication, education and research, on
IR risk in particular or risk governance in general.

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2. EAGLE content
To achieve these objectives, EAGLE brings together representatives of nuclear actors, users of
IR, authorities, mass and social media, and informed civil society, from a range of European
countries employing nuclear power or not. The work is divided in several work packages
(WPs) which will be carried out in this three-year project:
• WP1 seeks to improve education, training and information (ETI) material employed in
communication about IR by information sources across EU member states. Tools will
be assessed through interviews with heads of nuclear institutions along with
questionnaires proposed through Euratom national contact points. Upgraded ETI
material, activities, and communication strategies will be proposed as a coordinated
European approach for practical implementation. The lessons learnt in the context of
the Fukushima disaster will be taken into account.
• WP2 engages members of information source institutions and practitioners of the social
and traditional media in a series of national and international dialogues (face-to-face
and virtual). These dialogues will consider information transfer and media handling, as
well as the context of institutional, media and citizen discussion of IR and associated
risks. The dialogue groups will review existing material and produce practical guidance
tools to improve communication.
• WP3 analyzes education, training and information (ETI) from the point of view of the
final recipients of information – EU citizens. Existing desk research for all EU Member
states will be analyzed along with polls, interviews and the outcome of workshops
conducted in select countries. The ‘mental model’ approach will be employed to
investigate potential differences between professionals and the public regarding IR
risks, and identify means to support informed public decision-making .
• WP4 assures stakeholder participants have the opportunity to comment and provide
feedback on project products throughout its implementation at virtual workshops,
conferences, round tables and pilot actions to test, evaluate and upgrade
communications products. Various options for stakeholder participation are provided.
Information and results are disseminated among stakeholders and the public on an ongoing
basis. Sharing of results and communication is facilitated through the web site
(eagle.sckcen.be), social media tools (e.g., Twitter and blog articles by guest stakeholder
writers) and the “EAGLE Stakeholder Platform” (http://eagle.sckcen.be/en/Deliverables).
Several events will be held, among which the final International Stakeholder Conference with
members of academia, operators, regulators, authorities, medical sector, media and public to
exchange experience, methods, and tools developed throughout the project. The event will
publicize project results and gather feedback from stakeholders on employing these tools to
better support European citizens’ understanding of IR. For online exchange with the EAGLE
project a Stakeholder Network Group and Stakeholder Consultation Group (SCG) were
formed. These groups are actively involved and will serve as review body for the analytical
contributions prepared by project partners. It is freely possible to become a member of these
groups by registering online at eagle.sckcen.be.
3. First results
Although the EAGLE project started only in August 2013 several achievements already can be
reported. The EAGLE Stakeholder Advisory Board has been formed from a range of
stakeholders (NGO, industry, research and international organizations) and who help to ensure
that the project’s approach is tailored to the diversity of stakeholders involved in IR
communication processes.

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Within WP1 a Data Collection Protocol was prepared and delivered to partners. It outlines the
method of collecting data and analyzing the status quo concerning information sources’
communication on IR with the public, including any impacts of the Fukushima accident. In
March 2014, web-based questionnaires on communication strategy were disseminated to the
potential respondents. In parallel individual interviews on communication culture with
responsible persons at the information sources are taking place. In the next step (in May
2014), information sources will be invited to submit samples and descriptions of informative
and educational materials and communication activities. The collected samples will also be the
subject of analysis. The first report on ETI materials and activities will be prepared in early
June 2014 and will be a good basis for discussion with stakeholders, especially the SCG.
The WP2 partners in 4 countries are preparing a dialogue exercise, recruiting journalists to
reflect on their experience with obtaining IRR information from sources and translating it to
the general public. The dialogue groups will output recommendations. Already in November
2013, WP2 delivered an analytical and critical review of how information related to IR is
transmitted in the mass media (traditional – e.g. print, radio, television, and new – Internet-
based). The dynamic process between traditional and new media (social media) was analyzed.
This desk research takes the case of the Fukushima accident and, using secondary sources,
reviews its media treatment in Japan, Europe, and North America across the emergency
management cycle: event phase, response, recovery and evaluation [2]. Analysis gives insight
into how journalists understood and re-coded the information related to the Fukushima nuclear
accident, where they obtained information, which communication challenges were posed by the
event, nature of risk, etc., and identifies good practices of communication.
This review revealed that societal communication about risks has become more complex,
extensive and multi-directional, and that previous nuclear accidents have largely contributed to
this societal movement. However, new media appear to reinforce this movement, as they
speed, decentralize and diversify information provision while offering platforms for direct
citizen participation, expression and feedback. The growing presence of the new media and
their interaction with the traditional media result in potentially greater challenges for
institutions whose mission includes communication with the public about IR risks in particular.
At the same time, this dynamic offers opportunities for moving closer to a citizen-centered
ideal of risk communication.
In WP3 related to public views, a public opinion survey was conducted among a representative
sample of the Belgian adult population [3]. This research provides insights into the attitudes,
opinions, feelings, experiences and knowledge related to IR. The results highlight interesting
points to be addressed in discussion with the EAGLE stakeholders:
• Although people perceive IR risks as rather high, they express sufficient confidence in
the authorities for the actions taken to protect the population against these risks.
• Trustworthiness and competence are among the most important influencing factors.
The most trusted are scientists and IAEA experts; the least appreciated are the
journalists and the government.
• In 2014, almost one third of the Belgian respondents still follow information related to
the Fukushima accident.
• Traditional media (TV, newspapers and radio) have been and remain the principal
information sources used by people to inform themselves, also about the accident in
Fukushima.

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• There is a demand for improvement in communication related to IR:
respondents ask e.g. for more information from industry, and labeling of irradiated
foodstuffs.
• The general knowledge about IR is quite low among the Belgian population.
The same research will be conducted also in Slovenia and France. This will allow the EAGLE
project to carry out a cross-country and cross-cultural comparison.
Under WP4, the first EAGLE conference [4] held in November 2013 revealed a big demand
from all stakeholders – information sources, journalists and the public to improve
communication on IRR. There are several examples of contradictory information given by
experts in the field, hiding of news, or even apparently intentional falsification of data from
information sources (nuclear industry and even responsible governmental institutions). For
these reasons it is very difficult to build confidence in information and moreover in applications
of IR which are identified as risk associated activities and technologies. The prevailing
connotation and perception of IR are very negative in the general public. Typically, EAGLE
participants judged that knowledge about IR is of secondary importance in forming public
perceptions compared to aspects like trust, confidence, participation in decision-making
processes, empathy, etc. Information sources need to embrace this reality and be pro-active in
properly addressing their mandated communication with different public groups.
4. Conclusions
EAGLE project will in the forthcoming period focus on the inclusion and discussion of
analytical work with its constituted Stakeholder Consultation Group (SCG) and other
interested stakeholders. There will be 2 more public opinion polls performed in Slovenia and
France, analyses of ETI material, results from several field questionnaires and dialogue groups.
These reports will be discussed and critically reviewed in a virtual workshop and at several
pilot actions. It is planned that after 3 years of work there will be a good suggestions and
recommendations prepared. Outreach is performed throughout the project to foster use of the
new platform resource, allowing information sources to take these results into account in
performing the communication.
References ["Eagle deliverables" are found at http://eagle.sckcen.be/en/Deliverables)]
[1] "EAGLE-Enhancing educAtion, traininG and communication processes for informed behaviours
and decision-making reLatEd to ionizing radiation risks", DoW, GA 604521, 7FP, EURATOM,
June 2013.
[2] T. Perko, J. Valuch, A. Nagy, P. Lammers, C. Mays: Overview of Mass and New Media
Treatment of IR Topics: The Case of Fukushima, November 2013, EAGLE deliverables.
[3] C. Turkanu, T. Perko: Partial Report on public views across EU on education and information in
the post-Fukushima context – Belgium, January 2014, EAGLE deliverables.
[4] N. Železnik, M.Marega, B. Koron: Report from Initial project conference “Let’s Communicate
about Ionising Radiation”, December 2013, EAGLE deliverables.