On 13 November 2024, the outreach charter of public institutions involved in research, consultancy, and the assessment of health and environmental risks celebrated its 15th anniversary. The eight signatories took the opportunity offered by the anniversary to review the progress made by each establishment in its outreach efforts, to share their main experiences and discuss the prospects and challenges for opening discussions in the areas of science, health and the environment.
© IRSN
Founded by several public bodies in 2009, the outreach charter currently involves eight establishments: ANSES, BRGM, Ifremer, Ineris, INRAE, IRSN, Santé Publique France and Gustave Eiffel University. Through their activities in research, consultancy and/or scientific and technical assessment, they share the same ambition: to better understand risks and to find ways to prevent and reduce them, in response to the growing concerns expressed by the general public.
As part of their shared commitment to the values of this charter, the signatories took the opportunity offered by the anniversary to meet on 13 November 2024 in the head offices of the IRSN in Fontenay-aux-Roses, outside Paris. As part of the event attended by their own staff and representatives of civil society, they discussed the impact of these outreach efforts on their research, consultancy and assessment activities, and restated their commitment to an open and pluralistic process in support of public decision-making. Chaired by Ilaria Casillo, Vice-President of the National Commission for Public Debate, the morning of this one-day event was devoted to sharing the visions and ambitions of the directors and chairs of each establishment, giving them the opportunity to explain how the outreach policy implemented has enhanced the quality of their contribution to public policy and society as a whole.
In the afternoon, discussions continued as part of two round tables, one on the involvement of civil society in expert assessments and the other on participatory research. The round tables were coordinated with input from an expert or researcher paired with a representative of civil society, to talk about completed or ongoing practical projects.
A presentation by Evelyne Lhoste (UGE/Inrae) from the EQUIPACT project opened a discussion on how to improve the quality and impact of participation by the public and associations in joint research in the light of the ecological and solidarity-based transitions. Finally, the proceedings were brought to a close by Michel Badré (Chairman of the ODISCÉ Committee, IRSN), who has extensive experience in involving the public in expert assessments. This ended a day that gave the participants much to share and learn from.
Main projects by the signatory organisations
The round tables highlighted the main projects put in place by the organisations:
ANSES: Presentation of the public consultation processes implemented as part of the Committee for Dialogue on expert assessments in “Radiofrequencies and Health”
Olivier Merckel, Head of the Physical Agents Unit at ANSES and Sophie Pelletier, Chair of Priartem and member of the Committee for Dialogue on “Radiofrequencies and Health”.
BRGM: ADAPTO project: solutions to erosion and coastal flooding against a backdrop of increasing climate change
Eric David, Head of the Coastal Risks and Climate Change Unit at BRGM and Thierry Bizet, Assistant Director of Development at SMBS-GLP (Baie de Somme - Grand Littoral Picard Water Authority).
Ifremer: A comparative approach to the evolutionary trajectories of coastal socio-ecosystems for shellfish farming (Retroscope project)
Rémi Mongruel, economic researcher at Ifremer and Laurent Champeau, director of services at the Charente Maritime regional shellfish farming committee.
INRAE: From the definition of the question and its scope, through consultation during the assessment process, to the dissemination and implementation of results
Guy Richard, INRAE's Department of Collective Scientific Assessment, Foresight and Advanced Studies (DEPE) and Christophe Roturier, member of the Agriculture-Food Executive Board of France Nature Environnement (FNE).
IRSN: Technical discussions around the draft application for setting up a geological storage centre for radioactive waste (Cigéo)
Muriel Rocher, deputy head of the Unit for the Assessment and Modelling of Storage Facilities, Eric Bastin, project officer in the IRSN Outreach Policy Department, and Laetitia Faugières of the Bure Local Information and Monitoring Committee.
Santé Publique France: Study of the impact of living conditions on the health of Travellers in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Stéphanie Vandentorren, coordinator for “social inequalities in health” at Santé Publique France and Laurent El Ghozi, Chair of the Fédération nationale des associations solidaires d'action avec les Tsiganes et gens du voyage (FNASAT), an association working with Romany and Traveller communities
Gustave Eiffel University: Presentation of the different phases of the OAC-La Narse project: How can we establish a basis for mutual assistance between people involved in local protection work and researchers studying alternative public initiatives?
Amina Beji-Becheur, Professor of Management at Gustave Eiffel University and Anthony Marque, spokesperson for the association Collectif pour la Narse de Nouvialle.
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