Ryerson CSR Institute Talk: Exploring the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor's CSR Standards Navigation Tool for managing social, environmental, and political issues

The CSR Standards Navigation Tool is designed to help Canadian oil, gas and mining companies, civil society organizations, communities, CSR practitioners and host country governments more easily access the best practices and guidance outlined in the six international standards endorsed by the Government of Canada in the enhanced 2014 CSR Strategy for the Extractive Sector, Doing Business the Canadian Way. The Navigation Tool categorizes CSR themes into specific sections (e.g. security and human rights, closure planning, collective bargaining, etc.) and provides links and advice aligned with the international guidelines that are relevant to the specific issue.

The presentation portion of the event will include a run-through of the newly launched tool, examples of best practices on-the-ground, and a discussion of challenging case studies that closely relate to issues the CSR Counsellor’s office has handled in the past. The Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor hopes the event will demonstrate ways everyone from grassroots community organizations to CSR practitioners, industry organizations or companies of all sizes could utilize the tool for guidance, advice and best practice related to specific issues on the ground.

This event is co-sponsored by the Ryerson CSR Student Association, the Ryerson Commerce and Government Association, and the Ryerson Law and Business Student Association. This event is supported by the Trade Commissioner Service of Global Affairs Canada.

Esma Mneina (Stakeholder Liaison Officer, Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor). Esma obtained a Master of Anthropology from the University of Ottawa and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Manitoba. She has work experience in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Ottawa, Washington D.C., Northern Quebec, New York and Toronto - with a deliberate and dedicated focus on extractive-sector led development, Indigenous rights, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and responsible Investment. Esma is fluent in English, Spanish and Arabic and has working proficiency in French.

Sean Cornelissen (Research and Special Projects Officer, Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor). Sean obtained a Master of Political Economy and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International relations from Carleton University. Prior to joining the office, he was the project manager for an international development NGO in rural Peru, and has amassed work experience in Peru, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Argentina and Colombia. He is fluent in English and Spanish and has a working proficiency in French.