LexisNexis is guided by its global purpose of upholding the rule of law and believes that
sustainable social, political and economic progress can only thrive where the
rule of law exists. This philosophy is the foundation of the company’s
corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts.
“Since
2011, the global LexisNexis organisation has redirected its CSR efforts towards
the fight against human trafficking, identifying and working with partners who
are experts in the field, to raise awareness about this crime – both in South
Africa and around the world,” said Vuyokazi Dwane, HR director and head of CSR
at LexisNexis South Africa.
Among other initiatives, LexisNexis periodically
releases the
Human Trafficking Awareness Index™, a knowledge
management tool that serves as a proxy indicator reflecting media and public
awareness of human trafficking.
The index is an indirect measure of human
trafficking awareness by the media; it tracks and analyses the number of news
articles related to human trafficking. It fills an important gap in knowledge management
surrounding the topic in the absence of standardised measurement tools,
procedures for systematic data collection, centralised databases, and
dissemination of information by government agencies across the continent.
LexisNexis also hosts
the annual LN Cares Day, where employees volunteer their time to empower men, women
and children who have been targets of human trafficking.
“In
addition, our LexisNexis South Africa Cycle Against Trafficking Challenge is an
annual three-day cycling event to raise funds for NGOs working to combat human
trafficking. We have selected the National Freedom Network as our 2015
beneficiary,” said Dwane.
Recently,
LexisNexis partnered with United Nations Global Compact to launch the Business
for the Rule of Law (B4ROL) Framework, which aims to engage business and
communities to advance the rule of law, good governance and corporate
sustainability. LexisNexis SA assisted with this process by hosting two
consultation workshops in Africa, which gave key stakeholders in legal,
business and non-profit organisations an opportunity to make their contribution
to the B4ROL framework. The framework helps create an enabling environment for
laws and institutions that ensure accountability, certainty, equality,
protection of human rights and access to justice – complementing, not
substituting government action.
Through other ad hoc projects, LexisNexis South Africa works
with organisations including ProBono.org,
the General Council of the Bar and various nongovernmental organisations. The
firm’s Enterprise Development project has, since its inception in 2012, invested
R6-million to assist 124 previously disadvantaged advocates across South Africa
with technology and legal resources to kickstart their first practices.
For
more information, visit
http://www.lexisnexis.co.za/about-us/corporate-responsibility/
About LexisNexis® Legal
& Professional
LexisNexis® Legal & Professional (
www.lexisnexis.com) is
a leading global provider of content and technology solutions that enable
professionals in legal, corporate, tax, government, academic and non-profit
organizations to make informed decisions and achieve better business outcomes.
As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business
information online with its Lexis® and Nexis® services. Today, LexisNexis Legal
& Professional harnesses cutting-edge technology and world-class content to
help professionals work in faster, easier and more effective ways. Through
close collaboration with its customers, the company ensures organisations can
leverage its solutions to reduce risk, improve productivity, increase
profitability and grow their business. Part of Reed Elsevier, LexisNexis Legal
& Professional serves customers in more than 175 countries, with 10 000
employees worldwide.
In July 2012, investment firm Tsiya
Group, chaired by Fani Titi, acquired a minority interest in LexisNexis® South
Africa. Tsiya is a privately owned investment group established in 2008, which
focuses on acquiring interests in unlisted businesses. The company has a
particular interest in the media industry and has invested in two radio
stations: Heart FM (broadcasting in the Western Cape) and Gagasi FM
(broadcasting in KwaZulu-Natal).
Follow