266 R . Ando et al .: Radioprotection 2024 , 59 ( 4 ), 261 – 269 Fig . 7 . The farmer in his rice paddies .
In terms of exposure to radiation , it is interesting to note that the area having been completely reconstructed and decontaminated , the average ambient dose rate in its living space is now less than 0.1 micro-sievert per hour . In the fields where he works during the day , the ambient dose rates are slightly higher resulting in a dose of the order of 1 mSv per year .
4 Discussion
It is obvious that the presence of a still significant level of contamination in the affected territories in Belarus has drawn the attention of young adults , in particular mothers and teachers , to the acquisition of the practical culture of radiation protection , which is essential to control exposure to radiation , particularly of children . In Fukushima , young people gradually returned to the evacuated areas once the decontamination work was carried out . As a result , the relatively low levels of residual radiation took a back seat , even if vigilance remained required in certain places , particularly in forests . Despite these quite contrasting radiological situations , the concerns of young adults , more than 10 yr after the accidents , show similarities that it is interesting to highlight .
The first similarity is undeniably the desire to strengthen ties within communities and to develop solidarity . This was particularly marked during the various initiatives carried out in the Ethos Project and the Core Programme . Local projects were in particular an opportunity to share information and also to create new relationships notably with local professionals in the field of health and agriculture . Despite the fact that youth initiatives in Fukushima are essentially individual ones , the concern about the current situation of communities was recurrently highlighted during the discussions .
Communities were considerably affected by the nuclear accident , causing massive population displacements and a major breakdown in human relationships profoundly affecting the quality of living together . Furthermore , evacuation orders during the emergency phase were decided centrally and this approach tended to continue during subsequent phases . The reconstruction process driven by the authorities is largely characterized by a top-down approach to decision-making processes which inevitably induces a feeling of exclusion and isolation among the affected populations ( Lochard , 2013 ). It is undeniably to counteract this feeling of being isolated that young people seek to strengthen existing links within the communities affected by the accident but also seek to strengthen relationships with people outside the affected areas .
The Dialogue clearly highlighted the desire of the younger generation to strengthen ties and develop solidarity , while human relations in the region were completely broken due to the nuclear accident and the evacuation order prolonged . It wishes to form new relationships , taking advantage of the fact that many foreigners visit the affected areas to engage in the recovery phase . However , it is worth mentioning that older people are generally reluctant to form relationships with foreigners , especially those from different cultural backgrounds . This is a distinctive difference between older people and the younger generation .
The second similarity could be described as the search for innovative solutions . As the Belarusian experience clearly shows , the younger generation often welcomes the fact that people of different professions , positions and ideas come to the affected areas and bring new cultures , skills and knowledge through reconstruction projects and to support activities . They often desire positive interaction with new people . This contrasts with the older generation , who are often nostalgic for the society before the accident . In affected areas , where social functioning has deteriorated in many respects , social innovations are needed , going beyond a return to old practices . The positive attitude of the younger generation towards new and innovative ideas is essential for the recovery of areas affected by nuclear disasters . The 24 th dialogue has particularly emphasized that younger generation ’ s interest in innovative methods and their tendency to follow their curiosity is a major driving force in revitalizing the weakened communities in the affected areas . Agriculture is one of the most affected sectors by the nuclear disaster , but it is interesting to note that in both Belarus and Fukushima , young people are experimenting with innovative agricultural practices . The younger generation tends to take advantage of this exceptional situation and tries new challenges to do things that can only be done in such a context .
The key issue for the long-term is to establish a sustainable framework allowing the inhabitants to secure their economic and social activities . Such a framework needs to address the various economic , societal , health , environmental and cultural activities and must rely on a sustainable and equitable partnership involving the local , national and even international stakeholders including citizens in the management of the affected territories . This is a common feature with the Belarus experience .
The third common trait among Belarusian and Japanese youth in the regions affected by the nuclear accident is clearly the question of their attractiveness . Within the framework of the CORE Programme which took place in districts particularly disorganized by the presence of radioactivity , beyond the concerns linked to radiological protection , the question of the rehabilitation of decent living conditions was clearly conditioned on the sustainable development of the economic and social activity . How to attract the young generation to territories whose image is tarnished by the presence of radioactivity , the population is elderly and cultural life has been reduced practically to nothing ? Faced with these