Nuclear energy information in the Federal Republic of Germany (and the establishment of a dialogue between the public and government authorities)

During the past years the public debate on nuclear energy has grown in importance. Events such as the occupation of a power plant construction site and many discussions in the press media have led to a broadly based interest in the questions related to nuclear energy utilization. In 1975, the Federal Government launched a special nuclear energy information programme. Its main effort was to establish a dialogue between the public and government authorities. In several advertisements, the public was asked to participate in this dialogue by applying for a pocket book prepared by the government or for a direct discussion. Discussions on general questions were held with a large number of participants and many seminars were organized allowing for a more detailed discussion of special items among a limited number of people. The scope of the discussions was not limited to the environmental and safety aspects of nuclear energy. It was also the government's incentive to illustrate the need for nuclear energy and its role in an overall energy stratey. With all political parties represented in the parliament supporting the utilization of nuclear energy and power plant construction and planning going ahead on the basis of the government's energy programme, the dialogue was meant to provide a basis for a more broadly based conciousness of the problems and advantages of nuclear energy. The government's information effort has met with great interest. Until mid-1976, appr. 50000 people had responded to the government's initiative