Humans and the environment must be permanently protected from the dangerous radiation of high-level radioactive waste. Both the risk and the corresponding time span are difficult to imagine. The issue particularly concerns those who are young today. But how can young people learn about and participate in the search for a repository?
Humans and the environment must be permanently protected from the dangerous radiation of high-level radioactive waste. Both the risk and the corresponding time span are difficult to imagine. The issue particularly concerns those who are young today.
How safe is a repository deep underground? Where is the high-level radioactive waste currently located? Who will pay for final storage? And how can I interest my friends in the search for a repository?
BASE provides young people with answers to their questions about the search for a repository, both online and offline. And it offers opportunities to participate and have a say in the site selection procedure.
The animated world of experience of this free app offers an all-round view of decisive aspects of the repository search, and makes it possible to explore selected topics in depth. Download now from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Business game
"Citizens' dialogue Mitthausen" - a simulation game for participation in the search for a repository
By playing the simulation game, pupils from grade 9 onwards can get involved in the topic in a playful manner: they take on the roles of citizens or stakeholders and test different forms of public participation.
of all dates and events organised by BASE on the topics of repository search and participation can be found in the News section.
Multipliers such as young people's interest groups are also welcome to present BASE with their questions and ideas on participation and the search for a repository.
Civil society actors: "Council of the Young Generation “
Through events organised by BASE and BGE mbH, and in the context of the expert conference on sub-areas, a group of young generations has formed that wants to be involved in the further procedure. The "Council of the Young Generation (Rat der jungen Generation (RdjG)" accompanies the repository search independent of BASE. BASE and RdjG will cooperate for individual projects or on certain occasions.
Review: Events and workshops
In recent years, BASE and representatives of the young generations have worked together on topics, such as the repository search and the participation of young people, in very different formats and events.
Young generation workshops 2022
Feedback: Concept for the participation of young generations
In October 2022, representatives of the Council of the Young Generation discussed the concept developed by BASE for the participation of young generations in the search for a repository with employees of the Children's and Youth Rings of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. The online workshop gave participants the opportunity to discuss the prerequisites and conditions for successful participation.
In December 2022, BASE tested two BASE offers for young generations in a two-day workshop with trainees of the Navy.On the first day, the participants played the simulation game on the search for a repository, "Bürgerdialog Mitthausen". On the second day, the trainees discussed in a World Café, among other things, the question of what a repository would mean for a region.
Young Generation Workshop 2021
Pticipation after the end of the Sub-areas conferencee
In November 2021, BASE invited representatives of the young generations to Berlin to discuss the possibilities of participation after the end of the conference on sub-areas. The focus was on the questions: How would BASE and the young people like to work together in the future? Which conceptual considerations can be discussed together?
Series of events: Having a say in the search for a repository
"Mitreden bei der Endlagersuche" (having a say in the repository search prodecure) was a joint series of events organised by BASE and BGE mbH. On three dates in May 2021, a total of almost 100 young people aged 16 to 30 discussed the basics of the repository search and public participation. The series was preceded by a stakeholder workshop: In March 2021, young people talked with BASE and BGE mbH about the information and participation needs of young generations.
March 2021: Workshop "Dialogue with the Young Generation on the Search for a Repository
Over a period of three hours, about 40 young adults exchanged views with BASE and BGE mbH on how young people can be involved in the discussion on the search for a final repository and how they want to be involved. The aim was to jointly develop an event format that addresses young generations and their concerns content-wise, and that invites them to get involved in the discussion about the search for a repository. The exchange resulted in a series of events that took place in May 2021.
10 May 2021: Info package "Good to know" with Shary Reeves
The first event in the series offered basic information on the search for a repository. Those who had not yet dealt with the topic in great detail were introduced to the search procedure and its background. The event was moderated by science journalist Shary Reeves. The managing director of BGE mbH, Steffen Kanitz, and the head of the BASE research department, Jochen Ahlswede answered questions from the participants.
17 May 2021: The participation package "How can I have a concrete say?"
The repository site selection procedure offers various opportunities to get involved. Participants at the second workshop in the series learned how they can get involved in concrete ways. They had the chance to contribute their ideas and make suggestions for further participation formats.
31 May 2021: Final Repository Business Game "What's the game?"
The last date in the series of events revolved around a business game on final disposal, which shed light on the various actors and their respective perspectives on the site selection procedure. The participants slipped into different roles and discussed at the "round table" from their relevant perspectives.
Previous events
Search for a repository goes school
In October 2019, 25 participants from the fields of repository search and school education discussed the question of how the topic can be taught in schools. In working groups, participants explored existing educational offerings for students and teachers and developed their own ideas for teaching materials or simulation games.
The round table initiated by BASE is also intended to establish and expand networks between multipliers in order to work together on the conception of new educational programs as early as possible.
At the end of October 2019, BASE organized a three-day workshop in Kassel together with the Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung (BGE) mbH and the National Oversight Committee (NBG). Young people between the ages of 16 and 30 discussed various aspects of the repository search with the organizers. These included technical questions on geology as well as the topic of alternative disposal options or successful public relations work.
The documentation below records the participants' suggestions for the participation of younger generations. In it, the three organizers also explain which results they want to implement and how.
