Practical tools and real-world insights took centre stage at the third edition of the Nuclear Stakeholder Engagement School, reaffirming that effective stakeholder engagement is a strategic investment in the success of nuclear power programmes.
Through interactive learning approaches and case studies, participants from 24 countries learned how to plan and deliver effective engagement throughout the lifecycle of nuclear projects.
“Stakeholder engagement is not a one-off activity but a strategic, ongoing investment of time and resources,” said Andrea Borio di Tigliole, Programme Coordinator in the IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy and Scientific Secretary of the school. “By involving a broad range of actors – from technical experts and regulators to government agencies and host communities – we can shape nuclear power programmes that are not only technically sound but also socially resilient.”
Building stakeholder confidence goesbeyond office-based planning. It requires collaboration across disciplines, roles and perspectivesand strong leadership.
“Effective stakeholder engagement isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’ – it is mission-critical for any country pursuing nuclear energy. This school brings together the real-world experience, technical insight, and leadership development needed to build lasting confidence in nuclear programmes. We were honored to host and to support the important work the IAEA is doing around the world,” said Aleshia Duncan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation in the US Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, which hosted the school in Washington, DC in November.