With Brazil facing a prospect of expanding its nuclear-energy sources and the development of new nuclear

techniques there is a need for imminent integration in the nuclear industry with the tool information. In this

paper we propose the creation of a program aimed at the servers of the institutions that make up the Brazilian

Nuclear Sector, with a view to preparing these to become multipliers in the dissemination of activities developed by the institution so that they can, with strong arguments, defending the work of industry criticism of this form of energy. The goal is to create an important process of change of mentality and attitude among people who relate to the servers in the industry, expanding the debate on the subject, so that society, clearly and free of prejudices can understand the benefits the use of nuclear energy

Lapa, Celso Marcelo Franklin

Legey, Ana Paula

Mól, Antônio Carlos Abreu

Pastura, Valéria

Carpe dIEN

2015 International Nuclear Atlantic Conference - INAC 2015 
São Paulo, SP, Brazil, October 4-9, 2015 
ASSOCIAÇÃO BRASILEIRA DE ENERGIA NUCLEAR - ABEN 
ISBN: 978-85-99141-06-9 
 
THE NUCLEAR ENERGY, PUBLIC OPINION AND THE AWARENESS 
OF WORK OF NUCLEAR INSTITUTIONS 
 
Valéria Pastura1,2, Antônio Carlos de A. Mól1,2, Ana Paula Legey1,2 e 
Celso Marcelo F. Lapa1,2 
 
1Instituto de Engenharia Nuclear 
2Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia Nucleares do IEN 
Rua Hélio de Almeida, 75 
21941-906 Rio de Janeiro, RJ 
vpastura@ien.gov.br 
mol@ien.gov.br 
analegey@hotmail.com 
lapa@ien.gov.br 
 
 
ABSTRACT 
 
With Brazil facing a prospect of expanding its nuclear-energy sources and the development of new nuclear 
techniques there is a need for imminent integration in the nuclear industry with the tool information. In this 
paper we propose the creation of a program aimed at the servers of the institutions that make up the Brazilian 
Nuclear Sector, with a view to preparing these to become multipliers in the dissemination of activities developed 
by the institution so that they can, with strong arguments, defending the work of industry criticism of this form 
of energy. The goal is to create an important process of change of mentality and attitude among people who 
relate to the servers in the industry, expanding the debate on the subject, so that society, clearly and free of 
prejudices can understand the benefits the use of nuclear energy. 
 
 
1. INTRODUCTION 
 
The energy matrix in Brazil is predominantly water. However, there is the potential depletion 
of hydroelectric perspective in 2025, as the country is going through a time of irregular 
rainfall and almost completely emptied of its reservoirs. Hence, this scenario is changing and 
currently is giving way thermoelectric, which they use as heat source coal, gas, diesel oil and 
fuel. These are accounting for almost 30% of the energy generated in the country and the 
trend is increasing participation to complement the Brazilian energy matrix[1]. 
 
Nuclear energy has been identified as a solution to expand the array and has more 
competitive advantages than other energy sources, such as competitiveness, stability, 
availability - demonstrated the operation of Angra 1 and 2 - security of supply fuel (we are 
the 6th world reserve of uranium) and possess complete mastery of the fuel cycle nuclear[1]. 
 
However, there is a key dimension when it comes to nuclear energy in Brazil, for reasons that 
are different. This dimension reaches even more sensitive level, in the case of clarification 
and formation of public opinion. 
 
Much could talk about their own reasons and characteristics, because the country over the 
years, brought to nuclear energy an extremely sensitive reality distrust and sectarianism of 
society ranging from the shape and political environment in which nuclear energy was born 
to the model exclusively public management we have today. However, it is impossible to 
INAC 2015, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 
 
deny the contributions of this form of energy to society, regardless of the electrical appliance, 
in fields such as medicine, industry, agriculture, culture. These applications are still poorly 
known, not only by the barriers described above, but by other factors that prevent the benefits 
are understood and accepted by the population. 
 
For the scenario and prospects described in this paper materialize, actions and measures in 
different fields should be taken immediately as staff training, investment in science and 
technology, administrative organization of the sector and advances in the legal framework. 
 
Therefore, with a view to a future and ambitious public education project on nuclear area, this 
paper proposes and establishes internal actions aimed at preparing the nuclear area servers to 
act when necessary, as enlightening and propagators of typical nuclear issues and basic that 
should be taken to society. 
 
 
2. PUBLIC OPINION - SITUATION OVERVIEW IN BRAZIL 
 
In fact, it is observed almost everywhere in the world that nuclear energy is subject of 
contestation or dispute, because the image that has been created in recent decades is the 
radioactive monsters, planets exploding as a result of nuclear testing, which influences 
significantly in the thinking of the public on this technology.  
 
Moreover, until today, the nuclear area outreach activities are seen by both the media and the 
public as a way to influence rather than inform, which carries an unfavorable reception. In 
Brazil this problem is even more accentuated for some reasons, como[2]: 
 
• the lack of greater participation of the population in the decision-making process on the 
different ways of using this energy; 
• opposition to nuclear power by the scientific community, which is believed excluded from 
the planning and enjoys reputation with the public; 
• the lack of systematic information addressed to the mass media, reinforcing the almost 
exclusive access to international sources, which convey both opinions as facts related to 
various nuclear activities in Brazil, highlighting negative aspects around incidents in 
facilities; 
• a little articulation between institutional sources of information the nuclear area that could 
act systematically and work as an alternative to the aforementioned channels. 
 
Another aggravating factor is the fact that, at the national level of the institutions of the 
Brazilian nuclear sector, part of the server framework ignores the work done by his 
institution. 
 
 
3. METHODOLOGY 
 
3.1. Proposal for indoor training the Brazilian nuclear  
 
It is common within the institutions of the nuclear industry that the servers that are not 
directly involved with the core business completely unaware of what is developed in your 
institution. The result is that there is no "link" between them and the institution. The server 
INAC 2015, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 
 
"did not wear the shirt" because it does not feel engaged. It creates a process of alienation, 
since there is no identification with the core business and also there is, by the institution, the 
interest in promoting actions that make this interaction become strong and consolidated for 
the server to become an agent multiplier of activities at your institution. 
 
On the other hand, the servants of the area-end also sometimes unaware of what is developed 
in other sectors of its institution and even being developed by other institutions in the 
Brazilian nuclear sector. 
 
Thus, there is the first necessity of direct action and implement activities to motivate servers, 
creating a climate of confidence and encouraging participation and seek to remove barriers 
between different areas. In this environment, the server will be the main multiplier of jobs 
that are developed in your institution and this is the first step so that people can know the 
nuclear area. 
 
Note that the servers are the most important pillar of every organ and direction competes keep 
them abreast of what is being done, showing them their key role in the development, progress 
and public acceptance of the institution for which they work. 
 
Another important point is the standardization of institutional language, as there will be only 
properly dialogue with society in informing and clarifying the servers. This goal can be 
achieved with the creation of an information program that includes internal stakeholders in an 
educational process that should be based on dialogue, keyword for communication. The 
program should involve management, researchers and multiple segments that operate in 
similar activities and that everyone is aware of their role as active subjects in the 
communication processes of the institution. The aim is to involve the server showing its 
importance as a subject of information to external audiences. To this end, the institution 
should build a program that encompasses: 
 
• critical assessment as to disclosure requirements of its nuclear activities, identifying your 
values, desires and trends; 
• promoting unification of concepts aimed at consolidating the organizational culture, 
allowing the participation of all to disclose the identity and the vocation of your 
institution; 
• analysis of existing initiatives for the education sector, media and information within 
institutions to identify potential multipliers that can, in a didactic way, share his 
knowledge about the benefits of the use of nuclear energy; 
• conducting training courses for the training of human resources, specific to the educator in 
the field of public information for the nuclear area; 
• wide dissemination of technical and scientific articles in specialized editorial motivating 
spaces, including guidelines on nuclear energy issues with all segments of the press; 
• conducting internal events for dissemination of technical-scientific works that are being 
developed and, where possible, it is emphasized that there is a direct application of this 
work to society; 
• integration between the different institutions of the Brazilian nuclear sector through 
regular technical visits, given the widest possible range of servers, including the support 
activities, to know all activities involving nuclear energy. 
 
INAC 2015, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 
 
This internal work should be permanent, so there is the involvement of steadily servers, as 
that will provide your update with respect to each new activity that the industry develop and 
will provide reassurance and confidence to the server "wear the shirt". 
 
3.1.1. Case - Servers children of error in denounce examination of national issue 
 
Corroborating what has been explained above, in December 2014 the Brazilian Association 
of Nuclear Energy / ABEN - non-profit organization that brings together over 1,000 
associates in over 30 years of experience - began receiving complaints about a formulated 
question in exam entrance exam. Many professionals began to hear of his own children who 
were offended with a question of evidence. The question said, erroneously, that nuclear plants 
cause thermal pollution in lakes, rivers and mares[3]. 
 
The issue came to ABEN children through servers of the Brazilian nuclear sector, who were 
offended with how nuclear energy was treated in question. They complained to the parents, 
who in turn complained to the association. 
 
The ABEN sent a note of repudiation to the competent bodies responsible for testing, 
explaining the process of nuclear power generation and complaining that the issue was 
prejudiced and biased and emphasizing that the mistake took the wrong information to 
millions of young people, causing irreparable damage to image of nuclear power in the 
country. 
 
The servers in the industry felt as villains of nature and that's the kind of thing that leads 
society to a false idea about nuclear power, and that can cause a huge damage to the 
credibility of the Brazilian nuclear sector. 
 
The attitude of the children of servers reinforces the fact that the family environment is the 
first step to reach the goal of informing the population about what really is nuclear energy. 
 
3.1.2. Proposal for external public to nuclear area: external vision - a direct 
consequence 
 
A second step could be aimed at raising awareness and motivation of public opinion on the 
use of nuclear energy, which can be initially achieved through a labor-intensive wide 
dissemination of the benefits that this brings energy cleanly. A starting point are the medical 
applications that benefit millions of people daily, considering diagnostic with radiation and 
radiotherapy, or attract public attention to social applications. 
 
This image shows to society that the social cost is lower than it would be if there was no 
access to this technology and helps to clarify the process and reducing prejudices surrounding 
nuclear energy and people working in the area. 
Consolidated this step, the following purpose is to promote the use of nuclear energy in 
industry, agriculture, the environment, combining information on investment that the 
Brazilian company is performing in the development of human and material resources for 
important technological achievements in the development of the nation . 
 
INAC 2015, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 
 
It is necessary for credibility, provide transparency to data such as the social cost of nuclear 
energy, its associated risks, with accurate information on casualties possibilities of accidents 
and safety and security measures that are adopted to be minimized its effects. 
 
It is necessary for credibility, Provide transparency to date such as the social cost of nuclear 
energy, its associated risks, with accurate information on casualties possibilities of accidents 
and safety and security Measures que ADOPTED are to be minimized its effects. 
 
The external view of change can only be achieved if the information is passed transparently 
on the current state of nuclear power in the country, clarifying what is nuclear power, how it 
is produced and what the strategic role it plays as an energy alternative to a developed 
country. 
 
A change of mentality and public attitude depends directly on how the nuclear industry will 
transmit this information to the various segments of society, to educate and motivate the 
public about the use of nuclear techniques, emphasizing the benefits, especially social 
applications and environmental, the results of research and development in the nuclear field. 
 
 
4. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS 
 
For the purpose of disseminating nuclear energy and its many benefits to society succeeds, it 
is important to have awareness of the institutions that form the Brazilian nuclear sector, the 
main attitude is the internal change of activity in relation to your servers. 
 
The biggest concern is that its workforce is prepared and informed about the activities 
developed in each institution so that they can, with strong arguments to defend the work of 
industry criticism of this form of energy. It creates an important process of change of 
mentality and attitude among people who relate to the servers in the industry, expanding the 
debate on the subject, so that society, clearly and free of prejudices, can understand the 
benefits of use of nuclear energy. 
 
 
REFERENCES 
 
1. Brazil Nuclear Magazine, Year 19, Number 42, p.7, ABEN, Brazilian Association of 
Nuclear Energy (2014). 
2. Ordinance No 164 and 165 of 29/06/1995, "Interdisciplinary Technical Working Group for 
Public Education in Nuclear Energy", Strategic Issues Secretary, Presidency of the 
Republic (1995). 
3. ABEN, Brazilian Association of Nuclear Energy, http://www.aben.com.br/noticias/enem-
2014-nota-de-repudio-da-aben-ganha-espaco-na-midia (2014).  
 


The nuclear energy, public opinion and the awareness of work of nuclear institutions

http://carpedien.ien.gov.br:8080/bitstream/ien/2370/1/THE%20NUCLEAR%20ENERGY%2c%20PUBLIC%20OPINION%20AND%20THE%20AWARENESS%20OF%20WORK%20OF%20NUCLEAR%20INSTITUTIONS.pdf

The nuclear energy, public opinion and the awareness of work of nuclear institutions

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Carpe dIEN