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).