Internal management of the opening to society

The Institute's outreach strategy is overseen internally by a dedicated structure, the Service des politiques d'ouverture à la société, which reports directly to the Institute's Strategy Department. A special steering committee, chaired by the Managing Director, meets regularly to review current initiatives and validate the main directions to be followed.

Course: Openness to society is one of the four strategic areas of progress in the Contract of Objectives and Performance signed with the supervisory authorities, whose ambition is to "contribute to transparency and dialogue in the field of safety and radiation protection". In this way, IRSN intends to support the development of society's skills in the fields of nuclear and radiological risks, in response to their expectations. In line with its commitments, it will contribute to regular dialogue with stakeholders through the creation of a Stakeholder Dialogue Committee.

IRSN's work in terms of openness to society also aims to consider the expectations of stakeholders in the orientations of research work, and to contribute to dialogue with society on the needs, approaches and conclusions of expertise.
The Unit dedicated to openness to society becomes in 2019 the Service des politiques d'ouverture à la société (SPOS) and sees its team expanded. Its missions are to :

 

  • Propose the general strategy for opening up to society and manage the corresponding steering tools, in liaison with the operational units;
  • Support IRSN units in the implementation of actions required to promote a shared understanding of the issues relating to nuclear and radiological risks, and the ability to engage stakeholders;
  • Develop participatory research initiatives in conjunction with academic partners.

 

To carry out these missions, SPOS employees apply their know-how and skills in consultation and public life engineering. For the most part, they have experience in a variety of technical fields, which they apply to participation and dialogue with stakeholders. They are committed to building long-term relationships of trust with various partners from civil society.
In addition, launched in 2006, the Committee for Openness to Society, a specific management committee reporting to the Managing Director, underpins the strategic dimension of openness to society.