Online communications during the COVID-19 pandemic

As the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) has an international composition, many staff members have already experienced the need to adjust to new living norms when they relocated to Paris. Tapping into that experience and resilience to adapt to the completely different new normal that affects every aspect of life has been immeasurably important in recent months. The effects of COVID-19 on the NEA working environment occurred gradually. Initially, there were rescheduled meetings and an air of ambiguity from the various health authorities on how long alternative measures would be required. As the reality of the situation unfolded, it became clear that there would be a new normal and the transition period itself would be a temporary normality. The NEA quickly adjusted and switched to a virtual method of interaction, with the mind-set that this new set up would only be required for a few months. Luckily, staff were readily equipped for this new reality since due to their frequent travel they were already familiar with the tools for remote working. Now, these tools support what is essentially a prolonged mission at home. The NEA has continued to interact with its member countries via video conferences, e-mails and phone calls, in order to ensure that existing connections do not break. The same applies to internal interactions to maintain a collaborative environment, even though a conversation over coffee is no longer a quick walk away. It will take an unknown amount of time to recommence the in-person meetings of committees, working parties and expert groups, and take advantage of the synergy gained from those human interactions. Nevertheless, there is hope that the same collegial attitude that has developed in the current situation will sustain these collaborative interactions when 'normal' meeting arrangements resume