PUBLIC COMMUNICATION PROGRAMME FOR THE FIRST NUCLEAR POWER PROJECT

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY VIETNAM ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY PUBLIC COMMUNICATION PROGRAMME FOR THE FIRST NUCLEAR POWER PROJECT Nguyen Viet Phuong Department of Nuclear Science & Technology Management Vienna, January 2012 1

MAIN CONTENTS I. Nuclear Power Programme of Vietnam II. Overview of Public Communication Programme III. Action Plan for Ninh Thuan NP Project IV. Response to Fukushima Accident V. Conclusion Nguyen Viet Phuong, Public Communication Programme for the 1 st NP Project, Vienna, January 2012 2

NP Development Projection Ky Xuan (Ha Tinh) Duc Thang (Quang Ngai) Duc Chanh (Quang Ngai) Hoai My (Binh Dinh) Xuan Phuong (Phu Yen) Phuoc Dinh (Ninh Thuan 1) Binh Tien (Ninh Thuan) Vinh Hai (Ninh Thuan 2) 3

Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project Ninh Thuan NPP Project Ninh Thuan 1: Phuoc Dinh 2 x 1,000 MWe Ninh Thuan 2: Vinh Hai 2 x 1,000 MWe COD: Ninh Thuan 1: 2020-2021 Ninh Thuan 2: 2021-2022 Investment Owner: EVN Technology: Advanced & proven (LWR) Cooling: Sea water Fuel: Imported 4

Milestones of the Project Milestone 1 (Completed in 11/2009) Ready to make knowledgeable commitment to a nuclear program 25 th Nov. 2009: Pre-FS report of the Ninh Thuan NPP project was approved by the National Assembly Milestone 2 (12/2012) Ready to invite bids (Vietnam: ready to sign the contract) Construction of the 1 st Unit will start in 2014. Milestone 3 (12/2020) Ready to commission and operate the first unit of the Ninh Thuan NPP. 5

Implementation Scheme Direction by Government Implementation by ministries of Sci. & Tech., Industry & Trade, Info. & Com., People s Committee of Ninh Thuan Province Undertaken by MOST, EVN, local authorities of NP Project site & other stakeholders, in cooperation with foreign partners (JETRO, JAIF, ROSATOM, EDF,...) 7

Objectives of public communication Short term To build, maintain and develop a friendly and favourable relationship with local communities To reach the consensus of the domestic and local community towards the investment policy and siting of Ninh Thuan NPP To gain success in the site clearance, compensation and resettlement during the project construction period To increase the awareness and understanding of the local residents of the necessity and benefits of NinhThuanNPP, a nation-scale significant project, as well as the whole nuclear power development program Long term To enhance the public understanding of nuclear power To gain the public acceptance of nuclear power development in Vietnam To improve EVN s image as a reliable project investor by social contributions in the project area, which will create a trust of the local residents towards the project owner To better the material as well as spiritual livings of local residents To raise the public awareness of energy and environmental issues To set up an effective communication system 8

Target groups of audiences Frequently watch TV, listen to radio, and read newspapers even in off peak hours; Quickly communicate and make strong influence in relatives, friends and neighbours, and of course their family (husbands and children) Officials in Governmental bodies, elective agencies (e.g. National Assembly), and Communist Party organizations, who will directly discuss, formulate, and approve the policies, plans of nuclear power development Housewife group Decision makers They are next generation who are in five or ten years will be decisive citizens and will participate in the nuclear power development course of the country School children Academics and professors Especially for those who are working in energy industry and energy related sectors Crucial and long run target groups of public information, including Veteran Association, Women Association, Youth Association, religious dignitaries, Fatherland Front Committee, etc. Attention should be paid to ethnic minority people communities Local communiti es residents Media journalists a special target group who is both the target of public information of nuclear power and the producer of information 9

Major theme General Public Nuclear safety; Rationale of nuclear power introduction in Vietnam; Radioactive waste management; The economic competitiveness of nuclear power Project implementation capabilities (HR); Consideration of alternatives such as renewable energy or energy saving to defer the introduction time of nuclear power. Local communities Major concerns of local communities: Project contributions to the host community: compensation regime in the resettlement plan, employment opportunities, local socio-economic development, etc.; Environmental impacts of the project; Nuclear safety and emergency preparedness plan; Spent-fuel disposal and radwaste management. 10

Implementation plan Exhibition Facility tours Public hearings Mass media PR Centre Online promotion Education Support programme Exhibitions/ Seminars/Workshops organized both in big cities and Ninh Thuan Domestic (to DaLat Research Reactor) and abroad for target groups of audience At least once a year Information dissemination via news agency, VTV, VOV, press Nuclear PR Centre in NinhThuan& Hanoi Websites, online articles, interviews Education & training programmes for schools & universities Support programme for local communities 11

Major results of national activities (1) 07 national nuclear exhibitions in the period of 2001-2010: Nuclear exhibitions in Hanoi, Phu Yen, Ninh Thuan, Ho Chi Minh City 04 Nuclear Power Expos in Hanoi (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010) More than 38.000 turns of visitors, including members of National Assembly, senior officials of Government & local authority, school children, students,... Publishing of articles, books, leaflets, brochures on nuclear power Regular organization of site visits for reporters from central and local media agencies Interview, talk shows on nuclear power with the participation of authorized representatives of state management bodies, scientists, project owners, local authorities on VTV1, VTV2, VOV, Invest TV (VCTV), MOST Website, Vietnamnet, Government Web Portal,... Organizations of seminars on nuclear power for broadcasts & press The Workshop on Situation of Nuclear Power Development in the world and Long-term Strategy on Nuclear Power Development in Vietnam with participation of General Editors of Broadcast and Newspapers and PI key persons from all provinces in the North of Vietnam 12

Ninh Thuan Province Area: 3,358 km 2 Coastal line: 105 km GDP gross: 2011: 10.6% 2012-2015: >14% GDP per capita: 2011: 800 USD (60% of domestic average) 2015: ~ 1,400 USD (70% of domestic average) Population: 571,000 (2010) Pop. den.: 170/km 2 Kinh Cham Ragley Others 14

Communication messages Nuclear power as an engine for national economic development Energy security Reasonable answer to energy problems in the future Solution to improve the national position in the international community Benefits of nuclear power projects to the local communities Material and non-material benefits Local socio-economic development Safety First policy in the pursuit of nuclear power project, including safety & environmental management of NPP National knowledgeable commitments Manpower preparation Infrastructure development such as preparation of legal framework 15

Communication strategy Categorization of audience -Focus on essential & sensitive target groups: Spiritual leaders, village patriarchs, seniors of minority groups -Flexible content depending on level of understanding of audiences Flexibility of communication for different circumstances Diversification of communication methods -Different method for each category of audience -Greatly depends on capability of communicators 16

Type of activities Seminar Workshop Activities by local communicators Official visit of top-level officials Domestic & foreign facility tours Field trip for journalists Resettlement project Local support Public Communica tion Centre 17

Local support Clear resettlement project with adequate infrastructure of water, electricity and business opportunities Infrastructure development project (road, housing) for the local communities Promotion of local participation to the project through increasing number of Ninh Thuan students sent to Russia for nuclear engineering education Commitment by operator of profit sharing from the Project Vietnamese students sent to Russia for nuc. eng. edu. 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2010 2011 Ninh Thuan 6 11 Other provinces 23 57 18

Public Relation Centre (1) Investor: EVN (as one of component projects of Ninh Thuan NPP approved by the Prime Minister) Location: Phan Rang Thap Cham City Area: 3,000 m 2 Objectives: A destination for local and foreign visitors for improving the awareness and understanding of nuclear power and Ninh Thuan NPP project To bring the public closer to nuclear power with positive information 19

Public Relation Centre (2) Functions Exhibitions of energy, power generation and nuclear power NPP introduction history in Vietnam Introduction of EVN; chain of electricity supply from generation, transmission to distribution Overview of NPP reactors, NPP operation schemes Introduction of nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear safety and radiation protection Emergency preparedness response Structures Exhibition hall (three-storied building) 3D projection room Meeting room Library Data archive area Exhibition room of Ninh Thuan s specialities Entertainment area 20

Activities in number (1) 05 provincial-level seminar/workshop (2003, 2008, 2009, 2011 in cooperation with ROSATOM): Theme: Nuclear power, Ninh Thuan NPP, benefit of Ninh Thuan from the Project Audience: 300-400/event, including official of local authorities, minority group leaders (spiritual leader, senior bonzes), religion leaders (Catholics, Protestant) 60 small-scale workshops targeted at various local people groups Audience: ~ 7000 (in total), including official of local authorities, representatives of social organizations (youth, woman, veteran), soldiers from local military units, school children,... 02 three-day training courses (2009, 2010) to train local communicators on nuclear power for 30 participants from local region 11 domestic facility tours to Da Lat Research Reactor & 06 foreign facility tours (to Japan, France, China, the US) for local leaders and residents with >260 local participants 21

Activities in number (2) Various official visits to the project sites of high-ranking officials such as the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Planning and Investment, Minister of Industry, Chairman of the National Assembly s Science, Technology and Environment Committee, etc. Organization of 06 field trips to NPP site for journalists Other local supports: Giving presents (notebooks, school bags) for good and poor pupils, and bookcases for local elementary and secondary schools Financial contribution & participation by EVN to local charity & community activities, including local traditional cultural festivals, especially those of local ethnic minority people Support for local competition to disseminate legal information regarding nuclear power 22

Major results (3) Local competition on nuclear power, 1/2011 Especially, NinhThuanis chosen for the construction of the first two NPPsin the country, with the total investment of r. 16 bil. USD and the most advanced and safe technology in the world. This is an essential opportunity for NinhThuanto have a breakthrough in rapid and sustainable development. - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Ninh Thuan 2011 Atomstroyexport Workshop, 12/2011 23

Results and Issues Results Active support from majority of local communities to the Project, some even urge to accelerate the Project Official agreement to the Project from the People s Committees (local authority) of all three levels: Phuoc Dinh & Vinh Hai communes (sites for 2 first NPPs); Ninh Phuoc (now Thuan Nam) & Ninh Hai districts; Ninh Thuan Province Continuous public understanding and support, even after Fukushima Accident Issues Low frequency, lack of continuity and long-term plan for activities (now mainly focus on short events like seminar, visit,..) Insufficient content for communication (lack of suitability with level of understanding of local people) Insufficient understanding between investor, organizers of activities and press, results in conflict & biased information by newspapers, website, Lack of coordinator for activities Negative effects of Fukushima 24

Immediate response 15/3/2011: Press conference on the incident hosted by MOST 16/3/2011: Establishment of Working Group on Analysis & Distribution of Information on the Fukushima Accident by MOST 3-4/2011: Timely monitoring of radiation level in Hanoi, Da Lat, Ninh Thuan, Lang Son, Ho Chi Minh City 16/3-28/4/2011: Distribution of Daily Report by the Working Group on the Fukushima Accident & Result of domestic measure of radioactivity & radiation level 3/2011: Radiation screening for Vietnamese citizen came back from the affected zone (Sendai) & examination of imported goods & foods of Japanese origin 26

Daily Report on Fukushima by MOST Number of reports: 38 (16/3-28/4) Frequency: Daily (by 6 PM everyday) Content Update on situation of Fukushima & radioactive discharge from Fukushima (analyzed information from JAIF, NISA, IAEA, CTBTO, US NRC, IRSN, WNN) Result of daily measurement by MOST (VINATOM, VARANS) of environmental background radiation level & radiation monitoring Confirmation of safety for human and environment Assessment: Provide press and public with reliable and well-sourced information Stabilize the public opinion about the accident Reassure public about the safety for human and environment Inform press and public knowledgeable and clear information about nuclear safety & technology Raise the public awareness about the first priority of safety in nuclear industry Maintain the public support for the nuclear power programme 27

Preliminary effect of Fukushima Nuclear safety to human & environment becomes priority of people s concerns Significant improvement of public understanding about nuclear technology and nuclear safety Several opposite opinions against nuclear power and the NP Project appeared on the Internet through blogs, forum & interview Some concerns about the project from local communities in Ninh Thuan Questions from Members of National Assembly to the Government on nuclear safety and location of NPP project in Vietnam Needs of a better siting & technology assessment for the NP Project 28

Actions by the Government Response from Government in General Session of National Assembly: Emphasize the priority of nuclear safety Ninh Thuan NPP will use advanced & proven technology Siting activities take into account earthquake, tsunami & other factors to the safety of NPP Recalled about the preparation activities for the NPP Project Government will report to the National Assembly about the preparation of Ninh Thuan NPP Project Reconfirmation of nuclear power programme by high-ranking official 8/2011: Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai noted that NPP development program still needed to be implemented, and FS needed to be finished to evaluate the safety of the project before making decision Active cooperation with with Japan, Russia in siting assessment, FS report, human resources training, etc for Ninh Thuan NPP Project Cooperation with IAEA, vendor countries & other to develop the nuclear infrastructure for the NPP Project 29

Challenges & Solutions (1) Challenges Lack of a clear nuclear power public information policy Lack of an organized, systematic, long-term nuclear power public information programme Lack of human resources for public communication, including training programme for communicators Insufficient financial resources Lack of active participation of local authorities and communities Solutions Development and enforcement of a national PI policy Establishment and realization of a national long term and systematic organized public information campaign Human resource training and development in the PI area Promotion of international cooperation for public communication Close coordination among various relevant organizations (MOIT, MOST, MOIC, local authorities,...) 31

Challenges & Solutions (2) Challenges Unfavourable information caused by recent nuclear accidents in Japan. Academic oppositions from some well-known experts through interview & internet Uncertainty of public opinion under influence of mass media Over-critical view & negativereport tendency of mass media towards nuclear power Solutions Best preparation for the first nuclear power project Systematic study of anti-nuclear opinions & countermeasures Continuous distribution of reliable and well-sourced information through interview, articles, documentary,... Close communication with press Most important: Acceleration of resettlement project & infrastructure development project in Ninh Thuan 32

Lessons learned To secure a successful public information program, the following factors are critical: Strong commitment of the top leaders of the country towards nuclear power; Strong support and close cooperation from local authorities; Positive support of the mass media; Dissemination of transparent information: open all information; supply objective and true information; and ready to honestly answer all questions relating to nuclear power; Creation of confidence is important, but maintenance of such thing is vital; Thoughtful attitude and goodwill of the project owner towards all aspects of the locality. 33

Thank you for your attention! Nguyen Viet Phuong Department of Nuclear Science & Technology Management Vietnam Atomic Energy Agency 113 Tran Duy Hung Str., Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam nvphuong@most.gov.vn; ngvietphuong@gmail.com With contributions of: Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan (VAEA), Mr. Pham Quang Trung (VAEA), Ms. Nguyen Thi Van Ly (EVN NPB), Dr. Tran Van Luyen (EVN NPB) 34