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Randy Gossen, Nexen's VP of safety, environment and social responsibility, is one of six people to tell Canada's story at the 2005 World Expo.
May 02, 2005
Randy Gossen, Nexen's VP of safety, environment and social responsibility, is one of six people to tell Canada's story at the 2005 World Expo in Aichi, Japan. Chosen from across Canada, this ecletic group of storytellers will share their Canadian experience between March and September at the World Expo. Randy's Expo experience in Aichi lasted nine days, from April 8 to 20. While in Japan, he attended seminars and meetings and spoke on issues relating to corporate social responsibility.
“With the energy sector as an important part of the Canadian economy and Nexen’s reputation as a socially responsible company, I had a great opportunity to talk about how modern science and technology can help create a world where humans and nature can co-exist in harmony,” says Gossen.
International expositions have been held regularly since 1851 and provide a world stage for countries to showcase their culture, values, technology and uniqueness. In conjunction with Expo’s main theme, Nature's Wisdom, Canada chose the Diversity of Wisdom as the theme for its pavilion and programming.
An aviation enthusiast in his spare time, Gossen is a qualified candidate for his stint as a storyteller. He spends many of his weekdays traveling the globe ensuring Nexen upholds its status as a responsible corporate citizen and he is a sought after speaker on an international level.
“I was honoured, bewildered and humbled by the opportunity to represent the prairies,” says Gossen. “It was a great chance for me to show Canada’s diversity to the rest of the world.
“We are not a cultural melting pot and that separates us from other countries,” he says. “Individually, we have been able to be Canadian while still staying true to the cultures and traditions of our ancestors—whoever they may be and wherever they may have come from.”
What does Gossen think separates Canada from other countries?
“Specific traits that characterize Canadians are: the respect and tolerance we show for others; our sense of fair play; and our low key, rather than boisterous, nature,” he says. “We’re effective without the fanfare and we seek resolution through consultation and compromise as opposed to litigation and adversarial remedies.”
Gossen believes these traits have made our country one of the most diversified, inclusive and innovative countries in the world.
As part of his duties as a storyteller, Gossen visited six schools across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to promote Expo 2005 to students.
“These days, students don’t know much about the World Exposition,” he says. “But we’re teaching them how they can get involved and participate from where they are. Technology allows them to connect to the events in Aichi.”
The other five Canadians storytellers include:
- Kirt Ejesiak, co-owner of Uqsiq Communications in Iqaluit, Nunavut;
- Grace Fan, an award-winning urban designer and landscape architect from Vancouver;
- Jean Lemire, a Quebec screenwriter and biologist who crossed the Arctic from east to west to study the effect of climatic changes on Inuit populations;
- Idil Mussa, a Somali-Canadian from Toronto who hosts the Canadian Geographic Kids television program; and
- Jennifer Toulmin, an east coast performer currently starring in the Charlottetown Confederation Centre of the Arts version of Anne of Green Gables.
Read more about the six storytellers and Canada’s participation in the World Expo at www.expo2005canada.gc.ca.
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