Dialogic communication

Background of the problem

Nuclear power does not yet feature in Kenya’s energy mix. However, efforts have been made in investigating its potential introduction. Reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on August 31, 2015 indicated that a nuclear power pre-feasibility study and initial site selection study had been successfully undertaken in Kenya. Importantly, today Kenya’s bid for injecting its first 1000 Mega Watt (MW) nuclear powered electricity into the national grid by 2025 is surely on course. Apparently, the Kenyan government is keen on mitigating for the ever rising energy demands for both domestic and industrial needs for its Vision 2030 projections, and in this endeavor, nuclear energy is adjudged significant (Mackerron & Berkhout, 2009).
Embracing a framework of dialogic communication is critical in introducing nuclear energy or expanding its role. This is because NPP projects require the support of all stakeholders – including the ordinary publics, and should be based on an assessment of risks and benefits, but all within the framework of dialogic communication. Dialogic communication is very paramount for bridging the divide. Paulo Friere, a renowned proponent of dialogue indicates that the success of a project or any endeavor remains indespensably a focal concept and practice active dialogue. As Ms Karen Daifuku, Senior Nuclear Project Manager at Électricité de France claims, “We should try to bring together the nuclear sector with stakeholders such as local majors and even associations of farmers, fishers and the general public (everybody) more often so they can better understand each other’s perspective,” (Wegler & Pultz, 2010).
Purpose statement

By developing a clear picture of the nature of threats or opposition that NPP project systems are faced with and an understanding of the areas that lack especially with respect to dialogic communication in addressing threats, it will be easy for stakeholders and the public to deal with threats that they are faced with in operations which is important in ensuring that NPP retains confidence and acceptance. The study therefore proceeds with the premise that public mistrust of policy decision-making on issues involving nuclear risk is a defining issue.  It will also seek to establish that dialogic communication is central to overcoming any form of mistrust and obtaining public approval of the project.
Accordingly, the questioning for the study will be informed by the desire to inform nuclear policy drivers on the necessary changes (if any) it should make to its communication programme so as to take maximum advantage of the acclaimed dialogic principles in establishing public acceptance of the local NPP development.  Specifically, the study will be performed to find out citizens’ perception and positioning on the NPP project based on the existing communication modality, obviously as the starting point to defining best dialogic communication strategies for improving public acceptances of the NPP development in Kenya.
The research questions will include:

In order to achieve the study purpose, the following questions will guide the researcher:

• To what extent does the public or stakeholders accept and support the development of nuclear power plant in Kenya?
• What communication features or elements are there in Kenya’s NPP project that evidence dialogic principles?
• Is there a relationship between dialogic communication and public acceptance of nuclear power plant establishment in Kenya?
• a) What conditions are needed for improvement of public acceptance of nuclear

power plant (NPP) development in Kenya?

1. b) To what extent are dialogic communication approaches crucial to the conditions in

4(a)?

Literature review

Since dialogic communication is a multidisciplinary field, the theoretical framework for this study’s analysis comes from a selection of communication theories, sociology and international relations. Some of the models that explain the significance of dialogic communication are the Martin Buber’s dialogic theory and Freier.
Information, integration and participation were identified in the Vision 2030 Agenda as the key building blocks to sustainable development (Alred, Brusaw & Oliu, 2006). These pillars were acknowledged as being highly interdependent in that every player is involved in a framework that seeks sustainable development as users and providers of information.
Methodology
An understanding of the factors that affect the accuracy and validity of a study is important in determining its significance to practice and to the existing knowledge.  A qualitative research approach will be adopted in the study owing to considerations on the nature of the problem. The study will use a multi-disciplinary case study of selected universities in Nairobi metropolitan to examine the verbal interactions between the government and the public on the nuclear energy development policy formulation. Interactive interviews and surveys will be adopted in the research
Significance

The study has largely been motivated by the role played by dialogic communication in the current business environment. No one can deny the role played by dialogic communication in affecting the dynamics in project operations and define requirements in operations. Dialogue provides a platform upon which stakeholders and the public can be in line with the effects of NPP and gain from advances that are being made in enhancing generation of energy. The role played by an effective dialogic communication system in ensuring effective public-stakeholder relationship management makes it an important tool that can used to develop robust strategies that can sustain NPP operations irrespective of the nature of the operational environment.