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OSLI engaged a global audience this fall to discuss best practices in corporate social responsibility and to highlight its partnerships with the Northern Alberta communities of Janvier and Fort Chipewyan.

OSLI rep Nicolas Choquette-Levy presented a paper on the Sustainable Communities initiative at the Society of Petroleum Engineers/Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association's International
Conference on Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production in Perth, Australia. Encompassing five broad themes – Health, Safety, Environment, HSE Management, and Social Responsibility – the conference hosted 700 delegates from resource companies, consulting agencies, and indigenous communities around the world. The OSLI presentation was part of a panel entitled "Social
Responsibility New Frontiers and Challenges: Unconventional Resources".

"The Sustainable Communities initiative generated significant interest among the approximately 75 people in attendance," said Choquette-Levy. "Audience members were especially surprised by how effectively six companies could work together to improve their industry's relationship with communities, and by the degree to which communities have taken an active ownership role in the partnership." He explains the question and answer session included discussion on holistically addressing resource development challenges with local communities, and the unique nature of stakeholder relations for unconventional resources.

Participating in the conference allowed for new connections and networks to be established between OSLI and resource companies working on similar initiatives in countries such as Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Choquette-Levy also took advantage of the trip by meeting with local organizations working with Australian Aboriginal communities to exchange best practices in building meaningful industry-community relationships.

"There is significant potential for OSLI companies and partners to collaborate with a global community on social sustainability initiatives," says Choquette-Levy. "Some of the same challenges and aspirations that we have here in Alberta are also front-of-mind for communities and companies in several other parts of the world right now."

By taking part in such global conversations, OSLI is working to ensure that the Sustainable Communities initiative remains at the leading edge of this sector and shares its learnings beyond our borders.

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