Synthesis of the Constructing Memory Conference. Conclusions from the Constructing Memory Conference

'Constructing Memory: An International Conference and Debate on the Preservation of Records, Knowledge and Memory of Radioactive Waste across Generations' was met with a great deal of enthusiasm by participants. The wealth of new topics, the presence of both specialists and of interested stakeholders, and the structure of the conference that allowed both scholarly presentations and group discussions, were particularly appreciated. Academics found that it laid the basis for new academic research. One participant expressed his appreciation in this way: 'It gave me food for thought not only on the issue of nuclear waste information but also on other preservation issues'. Overall, the conference upheld the findings of the RK and M initiative's Phase I and its main work directions. Namely, it confirmed the RK and M overarching findings that: There is no single mechanism or technique that would achieve, alone, the preservation of RK and M over centuries and millennia. An RK and M preservation method is needed whose components offer a variety of RK and M transmission mechanisms that are integrated with one another or that complement one another with a view to maximising information accessibility, understandability and survivability over the timescales considered. The RK and M initiative is thus well advised to continue working on a systemic approach for RK and M preservation and to map its various components and highlight their internal synergies. At a higher level, the RK and M also found confirmation that: There should be no intention to forgo, at any time, records, knowledge and memory (RK and M) of the repository and of the waste it contains. Enabling future members of society to make informed decisions is part of responsible, ethically sound and sustainable radioactive waste management. During the conference's long-term session, its Rapporteur, Fabrice Boissier (Andra), emphasised the idea that the medium term should last as long as possible and that there should be provisions to help society go back to an indirect oversight regime (like it will be in the medium term), in case oversight was lost at one time (long-term period). In this sense, the RK and M initiative is on the right track in terms of raising the issue of the transfer of responsibilities for both RK and M preservation and for repository oversight. The need for further attention to the area of knowledge reconstruction was also noted. The RK and M initiative's work in the area of creating a key information file (KIF), with a table of contents that is standardised internationally, was supported as was the work in the area of international mechanisms in general. Participants agreed that these mechanisms can improve not only RK and M preservation but also favour transparency. The role of national and local archives was highlighted, and new information was provided on the practical challenges to their continued existence. Local stakeholders, it was underlined, can contribute to their durability and resilience. Examples were given of markers in association with art to address short-term memory needs, but also of small discovery markers that surface erosion could expose to suggest, thousands of years from now, that 'something happened here'. Surface traces of large projects are liable to survive for centuries and millennia, and they could acquire or be given cultural significance, which would extend memory in relation to the place. Examples were also given of how added cultural value could help preserve memory in the short term and prepare for the medium term. However, one example also showed that memory is easily lost if there is no willingness to remember. Overall, there is worldwide interest in the topic of RK and M preservation across generations. It is an issue that cuts across many other fields in addition to radioactive waste management. Twenty-five per cent of the participants in the conference came from local communities where a waste repository is planned, and from associations that want to preserve local heritage. Progress in the RK and M initiative could federate all these interests and generate mutual learning. A future conference along the lines of 'constructing memory' could be a good occasion to mark the state of the art in a few years from now