NWMO Youth Engagement – Advancing with APM

Abstract

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is implementing Canada’s plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel. Developed through dialogue with Canadians and Indigenous peoples, the project – known as Adaptive Phased Management (APM) – has the end goal of safely containing and isolating Canada’s used nuclear fuel in a deep geological repository. With an eye towards the NWMO selecting a preferred site in 2023, the NWMO engage with potential siting area communities which includes outreach with young people. Youth engagement efforts are purposefully broad during the site selection phase of the project and are evolving now as the project advances.

Given the long timelines of the Adaptive Phased Management (APM) project, it is the generations to come that will benefit from the project’s contribution to community well-being in the siting area. This paper reviews various aspects of the NWMO’s current youth engagement efforts, including opportunities for learning about the project, capacity building, sponsorships and support for community initiatives, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) learning and Reconciliation. Reflecting on our current approach to youth engagement also provides the opportunity to consider youth engagement in the post site selection context.