Public participation in nuclear waste management
A methodology was implemented using the RISCOM model. It integrates scientific, procedural, and organisational aspects for achieving trustworthy decision-making processes for public participation in nuclear waste management. The aim was to improve transparency and thus performance-values assessment was mapped out. Dialogue processes and hearing formats were reviewed. The methodology also entailed a diagnosis of organisational structures as well as an understanding of the organisational impact on transparency. The new RISCOM II project can now take this development a step further by providing more transparency and improved methods of participation through supporting development of criteria for the processes. Since transparency is required in high quality decision-making processes, the project can contribute immensely in regard to public participation. In particular, RISCOM II can support issues involving improved stakeholder communications in policy processes involved in waste management. As such it will illustrate that the purpose of transparency is to clarify effectiveness for all stakeholders, making stakeholders values count in policy issues. Furthermore it can develop a summary of the organisational structure that stakeholders communications create. In this way the process can become more engaging for its participants.
