Nuclear Energy Stakeholder Engagement Coordination Committee (NESECC)

Background

The Nuclear Energy Stakeholder Engagement Coordination Committee (NESECC) is established by the Department of Nuclear Energy (NE Department) in light of several General Conference resolutions on Nuclear Power, most recently GC(65)/RES/11.B:

• Acknowledging that it is important for Member States that opt to use nuclear power to engage the public in a science based and transparent dialogue, recognizing the utmost importance of active stakeholder involvement to Member States that are considering and planning for the introduction or expansion of nuclear power; and noting the Agency’s efforts to enhance its work on stakeholder involvement and public information;
• Encouraging the Secretariat to continuously assist Member States in enhancing public awareness and understanding of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including by publishing reports on stakeholder involvement and public information as well as organizing conferences, technical meetings and workshops, among other mechanisms;
• Recognizing the importance of assisting Member States interested in uranium production to develop and maintain sustainable activities through appropriate technology, infrastructure and stakeholder involvement and the development of skilled human resources;
• Encouraging the Secretariat to formulate recommendations on practical enablers of end-state definition, controls and long-term stewardship for decommissioning and contaminated sites, including compliance demonstration and stakeholder engagement aspects.

NESEEC builds upon and aims at strengthening the programmatic delivery of the NE Department in the area of Stakeholder Engagement and related Outreach activities, recognizing that active stakeholder engagement is of utmost importance for all nuclear energy projects and programmes and for all nuclear facilities throughout their lifecycle.

Objective

The objectives of NESECC are:

• to ensure consistent and coordinated support and services provided by the NE Department to Member States in the area of Stakeholder Engagement and related Outreach activities;
• to monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of the support and services provided by the NE Department to Member States in the area of Stakeholder Engagement and related Outreach activities;
• to ensure effective and efficient coordination of the NE Department with the Agency’s other relevant Departments and Offices in the area of Stakeholder Engagement and related Outreach activities.

Scope

The NE Department’s overall positioning, direction and approach as well as programmatic activities, specific initiatives, findings and observations related to and relevant for services provided to Member States in the area of Stakeholder Engagement and related Outreach activities.

Functions

• Define and review the NE Department’s strategy to support Member States in the area of Stakeholder Engagement and related Outreach activities, including medium/long-term goals.
• Periodically review the planning and implementation of the NE Department’s programmatic activities to support Member States in the area of Stakeholder Engagement and related Outreach, including in the light of the relevant Departmental strategy.
• Identify trends, opportunities, key enablers, gaps, limitations and needs for improvements in the NE Department’s programmatic activities to support Member States in the area of Stakeholder Engagement and related Outreach.
• Facilitate information and expertise sharing, utilization of experiences and lessons learned in the area of Stakeholder Engagement and related Outreach within the NE Department and with the Agency‘s other relevant Departments and Offices.
• Ensure consistency and coordination in the production of the NE Department’s outreach materials and activities for supporting Member States in the area of Stakeholder Engagement and related Outreach.

Membership and working procedure

The NESECC is an internal standing committee of the Department of Nuclear Energy which meets whenever deemed necessary by the Chairperson and at least once every quarter.