More than Just Concrete Realities
The Symbolic Dimension of Radioactive Waste Management
Key concepts of radioactive waste management, such as safety, risk, reversibility
and retrievability, carry different meanings for the technical community and for non-technical
stakeholders. Similarly, socio-economic concepts, including community, landscape and
benefit packages, are interpreted differently by diverse societal groups. Opinions
and attitudes are not simply a faithful reflection of decision making, actual events
and communicated messages; perceptions and interpretations of events and objects also
play a role. This report presents key issues and examples in order to build awareness
of the importance of symbols and symbolism in communicating about perceptions and
interpretations. It adds to the recognition that dialogue amongst stakeholders is
shaped by dimensions of meaning that reach beyond dictionary definitions and are grounded
in tradition and social conventions. A better understanding of these less obvious
or conspicuous realities should help find additional ways of creating constructive
relationships amongst stakeholders.
Published on April 15, 2010Also available in: French
In series:Radioactive Waste Managementview more titles