Second phase of the OECD NEA international initiative on the preservation of records, knowledge and memory across generations - 15616

The OECD/NEA initiative on the Preservation of Records, Knowledge and Memory across Generations (RK and M) constitutes an activity within the area of transfer of information about radioactive waste disposal projects for the benefit of future generations. Launched in 2011, the initiative has now entered Phase-II, which will run through to 2017. Building on results of Phase-I, which was dedicated to exploring issues of strategic relevance for the preservation of RK and M, Phase-II of the initiative will focus on developing an understanding of the interactions between the identified issues, while continuing to examine hitherto little aspects of the same issues. This corresponds to a systemic approach to RK and M preservation consisting in employing different means and methods to preserve RK and M, which are in a complementary but also redundant relationship to each other, and in situating and analysing activities in a wider context than radioactive waste management. The strategic issues for RK and M preservation are the use of archives, cultural heritage, the so-called Key Information File, transfer of responsibilities after closure, regulations governing RK and M preservation, markers and international mechanisms that could be adapted to foster RK and M preservation. The issues were discussed extensively at 'Constructing Memory - An International Conference and Debate', which was organised by the OECD/NEA with the support of Andra (French Radioactive Waste Management Organisation) and took place in September 2014 in Verdun, France. (authors)