“I didn’t have a technical background or education. So, I looked for mentors within the organization who could guide me and my career in product management. Through the Women at Thomson Reuters employee network, I was paired with a mentor who was, and continues to be, a tremendous help in encouraging me to pursue opportunities in Product management and instilling confidence in me that I could be successful as a product manager.”

Yesenia began her career at Thomson Reuters in an editorial role in Practical Law as a steppingstone to a job in technology.

“I took a leap of faith, took the job, and haven’t looked back since. Thomson Reuters gave me something invaluable: the ability to explore different roles within the company and find my place. I spent four years in editorial, and in that role, I completed projects with the product management team. That got me interested in product management, and I started thinking about whether it would be a good fit. I had the opportunity to do a part-time rotation with the product management team, which was my first glimpse into the day-to-day life of a Product Manager. I enjoyed it and felt my skills would be a good match, particularly problem-solving, collaborating, prioritizing, and researching.”

Since August 2021, Yesenia has worked as a Product Manager on the Practical Law team.

“My focus this past year has to been to develop Practical Law’s global offering. There is a strong need for the technology and resources globally, and we’re making real headway in bringing Practical Law to new markets.”

Yesenia also had the opportunity to attend- the 2022 Grace Hopper Celebration in September, the world’s largest gathering of women and non-binary technologists which Thomson Reuters is a sponsor of.

“The energy was infectious. I’ve never attended a conference with such passionate speakers and attendees. I appreciated the watch parties where I connected with other attendees at Thomson Reuters. I also enjoyed networking with other technologists from diverse professional backgrounds, such as myself.”

Her biggest takeaway from the conference was the importance of personal branding and leadership development while remaining authentic.

“I heard from many female leaders about empowerment, finding your voice and purpose, and the tools we need to advance our careers. My favorite quote from the conference was, ‘be yourself so the people looking for you can find you.’ I think about that quote a lot now, especially when I get the nagging feeling of imposter syndrome. It’s about trusting myself and the value I bring to the table.”

The team’s history of innovation dates to the early 90s, when TR Labs developed some of the most sophisticated natural language search algorithms at the time. In fact, TR Labs was the first organization to integrate search into products. In 1992, the team developed Westlaw is Natural, the first industrial scale natural language search engine, which was recognized for its innovative use of statistical rankings.

But TR Labs didn’t stop there. The team continued to push the boundaries of what was possible, and in 2010, they were a key part of the launch of Westlaw Next, using machine learning to learn ranking functions on a large scale.

Today, with close to 150 team members located around the world, TR Labs has grown in size and expertise. Our team has access to world-leading data and enterprise expertise, diverse teammates with world-class talent, and great opportunities for mentorship and growth. Every day, they’re experimenting, prototyping, testing, and delivering ideas in the pursuit of smarter and more valuable tools for our customers.

Currently, TR Labs is focused on harnessing the power of AI, big data, and deep learning to provide our customers with the best possible products and solutions. Upholding the rule of law, turning the wheels of commerce, catching bad actors, reporting the facts, and providing trusted, unbiased information to people all over the world – our team is dedicated to conducting research and helping build products that make a difference.

At TR Labs, we are committed to driving progress and making a positive impact on the world. We are proud of the innovations we have delivered over the past 30 years, and we look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible in the next 30 and beyond.

Earlier this year, Agnieszka organized a group of nine colleagues from the United Kingdom and Poland to travel to the Polish-Ukrainian border to help refugees fleeing from the war in Ukraine. During their visit, they volunteered over 200 hours, working with World Central Kitchen to provide meals, purchasing groceries, visiting refugee children at an orphanage, and helping a family find accommodations.

Agnieszka also set up a Crowdfunder and fundraised nearly £9,000, which was used to purchase clothing, food, laptops, and other electronics to help refugee children continue their education. A donation was also made to Caritas, an organization providing accommodations, care, and education to refugee children.

In recognition of Agnieszka’s incredible work, Thomson Reuters will make a $10,000 donation to an organization currently aiding in Ukraine refugee relief.

Carla Jones, the namesake of this award, was a remarkable colleague at Thomson Reuters who lived our values and inspired others to do the same. Prior to her passing in 2019, Carla served as chief of staff to our previous three CEOs and was known for her grace, humility, and generosity. She was a mentor to many and a constant champion for diversity.

Carla founded the Social Impact Institute to better engage and amplify the work of our stakeholders and to highlight the positive impact Thomson Reuters has in the world. The Carla Jones Social Impact Award was created based on her passion for social issues and making a positive impact in our communities.

We are honored to recognize Carla’s legacy and proud of Agnieszka’s selfless work. People like Carla and Agnieszka embody our Purpose at Thomson Reuters and inspire us all to create the change we want to see in the world.

Congratulations, Agnieszka. Like Carla, you are an inspiration to us all.

Education opens doors for families and communities across the world to opportunities. These opportunities lead to better living conditions, access to nutritious food, and increased earning capacity. Statistics show that more and more first-generation learners are now accessing education around the world, thus helping societies make more informed decisions and creating better standards of living.

When one person in a family has access to formal education, then employment, the whole community this person lives in benefits.

Who are first-generation learners?

A first-generation learner is defined as someone whose parents did not obtain a higher secondary education. The journey that each first-generation learner goes through is unique, as they would have battled financial hardship, the absence of a mentor, or any kind of support to grasp more technical concepts.

It is often challenging for the average first-generation learner to have access to private education, top-class graduate schools, and thus, great workplaces. However, this uniqueness makes them an important demographic, as they have diverse thought processes and lived experiences; for these reasons, organizations should focus on them when it comes to hiring.

First-generation learners create opportunity

Often, organizations look at premium schools when hiring talent. However, it is important to be cognizant that this excludes a vast majority of the young talent that may be very bright but lack privilege and opportunity. Focused hiring of first-generation learners gives organizations an edge in terms of bringing in different thought processes and the ability to innovate.

One could argue that this is the next, deeper step to further diversifying the workforce.

However, hiring them is not just about the business case, but the larger picture — it’s the right thing to do. Giving employment opportunities to a first-generation learner means opening doors to a family — and then a larger community — to a better life. This act creates a ripple effect where more role models are created in the communities, which, in turn, inspires future generations to focus on education.

Setting up first-generation learners for organizational success

Just bringing this demographic into the workplace isn’t enough. The challenges posed by first-generation learners are multifold. Organizations need to play a key role in building an even playing field — this could be in the form of mentorship offered, training in communication, and social skills, to help them see a career progression and, consequently, a brighter future.

Communication skills and style are a particular concern, especially in multilingual countries. In India, it certainly is a challenge, as the language used for business communication is English, but it isn’t the first language for most Indians. Better English-speaking skills are directly proportionate to the socio-economic status of the family and, thus, the quality of education received. This alone sets back a lot of first-generation learners from attaining employment in large organizations.

The way forward for first-generation learners

The odds are stacked against first-generation learners, making it very difficult to make headway into formal workplaces — let alone climb the corporate ladder. Bringing in and retaining such talent may seem like a tall goal at first, but with the combined efforts of all teams, it can become a reality.

At a multigenerational, multicultural workplace like Thomson Reuters, there are continued efforts to build a greater sense of inclusion and belongingness — and truly celebrate diversity. Focused and mindful hiring drives for first-generation learners have been going on at Thomson Reuters for the past few years, which ties to our purpose. We are not just a world-class organization, but one that informs the way forward and aims to set a new path for businesses across the globe to ensure that we build an equitable society where everyone thrives.

The change we seek starts with giving first-generation learners exactly what they need to succeed: a chance.

Let’s look at our impact by the numbers:

• Over 750 employees participated in 15 countries
• We supported over 100 charitable organizations through organized volunteer events
• Our team volunteered over 5,000 hours, with 232 of these hours yielding $45,240 worth of pro bono consulting for various organizations

Thomson Reuters has had a longstanding commitment to supporting communities in which we live and work through volunteering and acts of service. At our first Global Volunteer Day, employees prepared and distributed meals and hygiene kits to those in need, stocked shelves at food pantries, picked up litter at parks and beaches, created cards for hospitalized kids and seniors, provided walks and toys for animals in shelters, hosted career workshops, and visited schools.

In addition, Tax & Accounting employees attending our annual SYNERGY Conference participated by writing 245 letters to military members and first responders for Operation Gratitude.

Employees welcomed the opportunity to make an impact:

• “We had a great time volunteering. This event made it possible for us to help the community and learn more about a regional non-profit, and we got to know each other a little better, too. A win-win. Thank you!”
• ​​​​​​​”It was great to see the enthusiasm and energy from all the volunteers. What a wonderful way to make a difference on Global Volunteer Day.”

Most importantly, we provided much-needed assistance to local non-profits:

• “The volunteers brought such amazing energy, and our guests and staff loved spending the day with them. Thank you so much Thomson Reuters for the love and compassion you showed our guests, and for choosing us for your first Global Volunteer Day! We can’t wait to welcome you back next year.”
• “Over the past few months, we have seen a huge increase in the number of clients that use our services. We are constantly in need of volunteers to help us stock shelves in the pantry and prepare lunch and dinner meals. The Thomson Reuters volunteers have provided an invaluable service to us today and we are incredibly grateful!”

Watch the video below to see our volunteers in action on Global Volunteer Day.

The chance to constantly grow and evolve has been key to Heather’s happiness and her ability to define her own career path.

“Early in my career at Thomson Reuters, my department didn’t go through a lot of change,” she recalls. “This is characteristic of our industry — tax compliance changes frequently, so we keep processes, structures, and even technology the same to counterbalance the change.” In times like these, Thomson Reuters enabled Heather to grow in other ways due to the company’s ever-increasing career growth opportunities. “Thomson Reuters has evolved in countless ways and that evolution has afforded me opportunities to grow.”

“I took advantage of the tuition reimbursement program and completed my MBA,” Heather says. She also used formal programs for mentors and sponsorships. “I had a wonderful mentor in my first year as a manager,” Heather recalls. “She helped me see things differently, coached me, and supported my needs and areas of growth.”

Here, Heather shares more about this journey and how she has evolved her career.

To start, can you tell us about your job?

When I transitioned to a technology manager, my role was to support one segment of tax compliance with software engineers in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I was also a scrum master, helping to build a beta product being tested by customers through several small scrum teams. In the last three and a half years, my role grew globally, allowing me to partner with technology teams in India, Australia, Eastern Europe, Canada, and, most recently, Mexico. This year, my responsibilities grew significantly in the compliance area so much that I needed to step away from my scrum work.

My position has a lot of flexibility and has been evolving since the day I accepted it. I love this about my role, and I can flex my time where it’s needed most, based on the time of year. Outside of supporting my team of engineers, I spend time assisting our UltraTax CS product backlogs, helping global engineering teams, and working on special projects.

What were your initial thoughts when you learned you were moving into a leadership role?

Thankful, excited, and nervous! I had moments of doubt, but, overall, I was eager and ready for management. I joined a newly formed technology team made up entirely of female managers. In technology, it was unique that a male-dominated department was being led by female managers. I had this group of women to support, challenge, and inspire me during my first year as a manager.

What opportunities did Thomson Reuters provide that ultimately helped you land your role?

I didn’t have a traditional, linear path to the manager role with clearly defined, sequential steps. Instead, I actively sought out any opportunity available, usually in addition to my full-time role. I partnered with our sales department to pitch UltraTax CS to new customers, I joined and then led our local volunteer group in Ann Arbor, and I helped with our campus recruiting.

I loved meeting “new” people at Thomson Reuters, even though most of them had been here longer than I was. My biggest break was when I volunteered to start developing OnvioTax. I had opportunities to learn agile and scrum, lead platform development teams, partner with global colleagues, develop my tech skills, and follow a transformative leader into management.

I applied for positions I didn’t get. I used the feedback from these positions to work on my brand. I used the interviews to network and learn about Thomson Reuters. I used almost every career development tool that Thomson Reuters made available. I pushed myself because that was what I wanted; I was at a large-enough organization with opportunities to refine and develop critical skills.

From your own dynamic management experience, what’s one management strategy you’ve used that you think has been particularly effective?

Listen more — and be an active listener. This is one area I must work on daily, and outside of work too with my two little boys and husband. It’s very easy to be distracted; active listening is not only respectful but critical when working with your team.

What’s the number one thing you hope your direct reports are getting out of working with you?

I hope my direct reports feel supported and valued. I hope they feel this support outside of work as well — I care about their well-being. Since moving into management, I’ve been fortunate to coach and lead an incredible group of software engineers. They’re a big part of why UltraTax CS has been market leading for decades.

I developed my career by raising my hand, seeking out opportunities, and speaking up. When you transition to management and have a team to support, it’s more important to pass on those opportunities — let them speak up and let them raise their hands. While I would never be passive, remembering to pause, think of the team, and encourage others is where my focus is now.

What is your number one piece of advice for other women who are moving into, or want to move into, leadership?

Perception is reality — be aware of how you are perceived. I had the opportunity to attend LeadHership1, a female-focused leadership program offered by Thomson Reuters. One of the exercises gathers feedback from colleagues, friends, and family on how they viewed me. It was sometimes uncomfortable getting feedback, but it’s critical to understand how you are being perceived and compare that with how you want to be perceived and who you want to be.

Perceptions can change and people can change, but if you aren’t aware of how others perceive you, start seeking this information.

What’s been your most valuable career mistake?

Assuming that a title earned respect or authority. Titles or promotions mean very little unless you have the respect and trust of those around you. A title gets you a seat at the table, but it takes time and effort to earn the respect of others. If you don’t have trust and respect, then it doesn’t matter what you say or what your title is — you have lost the ability to influence and lead.

We want to thank Heather for sharing her story and can’t wait for more career updates!

We sat down with three inspiring colleagues to learn more about the significance of this month and the challenges that Hispanic and Latino Americans continue to face.

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

Jonathan: Hispanic Heritage Month is relatively new to me. I have lived in the United States for 10 years and in Minnesota for almost six; it is here where I started to learn more about this topic and the celebration itself. Hispanic Heritage Month represents pride, empathy, and a daily struggle to recognize our value as Hispanics in the United States.

Rogelio: It’s a time to recognize and celebrate the impact Hispanic culture has — and continues to have — in the United States. It is also an opportunity to be more inclusive of people from all backgrounds, including those with Portuguese, Brazilian, and Ibero-American heritage.

Gricel: To me, Hispanic Heritage Month is all about embracing inclusion and diversity in our communities. Every year we take a moment to recognize the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the culture and achievements of the United States. By doing this, we are telling the next generations that learning from different points of view is valuable and that respect matters.

What issues matter most to you and that you feel deserve more attention?

Jonathan: Some issues must be addressed, such as recognition for the work that people of Hispanic origin do daily that is often take for granted. Also, acknowledging the diversity that the Hispanic culture has, from its language, food, and traditions.

Rogelio: In a word: representation. Representation with our government officials, representation in media, and in the workplace and leadership positions.

Gricel: It is not a secret that it is challenging when immigrants arrive in a country with a different language and culture. But, a more problematic situation is when they need legal assistance and do not know how the legal system works in the United States. In most cases, the first emotion they show is fear. Here at Thomson Reuters, I have an opportunity to write content and articles about typical queries Spanish speakers have regarding legal issues; I have learned the importance of offering reliable information to reduce apprehension and misunderstandings about how the law works.

Why is your participation in the Latino Employee Network business resource group important to you?

Jonathan: It is essential because it enhances the diversity that the company has. In addition, my participation allows me to publicize the culture and talent that Hispanics bring to Thomson Reuters.

Rogelio: I believe in taking real, tangible action. It’s easy to be a social media activist. It’s harder to get your hands dirty and try to drive change, especially within an organization, and that’s the opportunity the Latino Employee Network provides me.

Gricel: The Latino Employee Network is an enrichment program that works in multiple ways and allows us all to learn and share. Listening to the experience of other immigrants like me allows me to learn how to succeed in developing my career, all while keeping my identity. At the same time, we all share our backgrounds and culture to explain similarities and differences.

How do you plan on celebrating Hispanic Heritage month with your friends, family, and colleagues?

Jonathan: Within Thomson Reuters, we have several events to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. One of my favorite events is the presentation of the Latin American countries, where we learn about the different customs, food, tourist destinations, slang, and history. I also like sharing time with my colleagues from other states and learning about their projects and thoughts.

Rogelio: I plan to take this time to learn more about other Ibero-American countries. “Hispanic/Ibero-American” is a catch-all phrase that fails to recognize that every country is different. From vocabulary, food, history, culture, and customs, there are important differences — and of course similarities — among the 20+ countries that comprise Ibero-America.

Gricel: The past two years have been difficult in many ways. The best thing we all can do this year to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month is share our stories to demonstrate that it is acceptable to be different and it is satisfactory to be smart with “acento.”

A final thought from Jonathan

Being Latino or Hispanic is a source of pride. Celebrating and sharing it is something we should do daily — not just during Hispanic Heritage Month. Speaking Spanish, dancing to our music, and eating our typical food should be incorporated in our daily lives so that our children, relatives, and friends who were born in the United States identify with our culture.

Thanks to Jonathan, Rogelio, and Gricel for sitting down with us to reflect on the importance of Hispanic Heritage month. To learn more about Thomson Reuters Latino Employee Network, read their latest blog post.

Some people are forced to stumble through the legal system without the legal information, advice, or representation needed to enforce their rights. They may miss work to file forms that are thrown out for being incorrect or incomplete. If they show up in court, they may be too intimidated to respond to opposing counsel’s arguments.

Or, they may forgo legal action completely because they find the system too overwhelming or expensive. These scenarios and others like them illustrate how difficult it is for many to find access to justice.

The access to justice gap

Access to justice describes the ability of any person to use the legal system to advocate for themselves and their interests. However, the legal system is extremely complex and can be difficult to navigate. For those unable to afford an attorney, access to the court system and the justice it can provide are limited. This justice gap is the difference between the legal needs of low-income individuals and the resources available to meet those needs.

The numbers tell a clear story about the importance of equal, meaningful access to legal representation and its role in ending poverty, combating discrimination, and creating opportunity.

In immigration cases, the Study Group on Immigration Representation found that among immigrants in New York who were released or never detained, 74% of represented immigrants had successful outcomes, compared to only 13% of unrepresented immigrants. The American Bar Association found that when unaccompanied children are unrepresented at removal hearings, only 15% of the cases win legal relief, but if they have an attorney, over 73% can remain in this country.

In landlord-tenant cases, the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel reviewed studies on tenant representation and found that:

• In a Massachusetts project providing full representation to low-income tenants, 90% of closed cases resulted in positive outcomes, with 70% of tenants remaining in their homes and 20% having more time to find a place to live.
• In California, fully represented tenants stayed in their units three times as often as those receiving limited or no legal assistance.
• In Denver, Colorado, represented tenants remained in their homes 70%–100% of the time, compared to 32% of unrepresented tenants.

The importance of legal pro bono

The number of people who need legal services is staggering. According to the Legal Services Corporation’s 2022 Justice Gap Study, low-income Americans do not get enough — or any — legal help for 92% of their substantial civil legal problems.

Pro bono plays an important role in filling this legal need. The term pro bono comes from the Latin pro bono public, which means “for the public good.” While the term generally indicates “the offering of free services,” for the legal profession it carries more significance. Pro bono is both a strategy and an opportunity to promote a justice system that is fair and accessible to everyone, regardless of their income or circumstances.

Many attorneys view pro bono as an ethical responsibility to meet the legal needs of underserved and vulnerable communities. Attorneys empower the disadvantaged by providing pro bono legal services directly to people in need and to the non-profit organizations that serve them, as well as through training and legal representation on larger policy issues that drive positive social change for marginalized groups.

In the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s 2020 TrustLaw Index of Pro Bono, 96% of respondents indicated their main justification for doing pro bono work was to give back to their communities. This motivation has led to increased pro bono activities in both law firms and corporate law departments. According to the Pro Bono Institute’s Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge, in 2019 some 127 firms dedicated more than 4.9 million hours to pro bono work.

Legal pro bono is one part of the equation

Ultimately, however, pro bono is only one part of a larger, integrated solution to ensuring equal access to justice. There is also a critical need for properly funded legal aid and legal service organizations — and a more user-friendly and accessible court system with simplified legal processes and technology to make it easier for individuals to navigate the legal system on their own.

On top of that, advocacy organizations must continue their work to dismantle systemic inequities that negatively impact our most vulnerable populations — those living in poverty, people of color, women, immigrants, the elderly, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Learn more about how Thomson Reuters supports pro bono legal work globally.

From the climate emergency to deepening socio-economic inequalities, from surging threats to a free press, and the impact of technology on human rights – the intersecting crises affecting today’s societies are growing ever more acute.

The foundations of democracy are under siege. Global crises always hit the world’s most vulnerable first and hardest; inertia, ignorance, and instability threaten catastrophic long-term consequences for us all.

Interlinked global challenges

And whilst extreme weather impacts everyone, it does not impact everyone equally. It has forced an annual average of 21.5 million people from their homes since 2008, according to the UNHCR. A staggering 1.2 billion people will be displaced globally by 2050 due to climate change and natural disasters, as estimated by international think tank IEP.

Climate crisis and poverty are inextricably interlinked, with the consequences disproportionately affecting the young, the old, women, and the poor. Meanwhile, global efforts towards climate mitigation are also unfairly skewed, with poorer countries under pressure to cut carbon emissions without adequate support from richer nations. Yet the top 10% of emitters are responsible for close to half of all emissions, of which North America is by far the biggest contributor.

Recent figures demonstrating widening global inequalities are equally as bleak. This year’s World Inequality Report documents that the poorest half of the global population possesses just 2% of global wealth. In contrast, the richest 10% of the global population owns 76% of all wealth. At the same time, progress towards balancing gender inequalities is extremely slow, with women’s share of total incomes from work, for example, having increased only 5% since 1990 to 35% — a far cry from the 50% that would signify gender parity in earnings worldwide.

Economic disruption exacerbated by the pandemic, the rising cost of living, the climate crisis, and large-scale migration are stalling efforts to redress global inequalities. And, in an increasingly divided and polarized world, another power imbalance is at play.

Journalism is under attack

Information has become an ever-more-valuable currency, with a land grab by those desperate to control it. This is being played out by the surging threats to a free press around the world, hindering the flow of accurate, trusted, and independent information to those who need it most.

Professional, public interest journalism saves lives. It can change the narrative around marginalized communities, it can educate and empower those vulnerable to disinformation and propaganda, it holds power to account; it is key to protecting our fundamental human rights. Yet the media freedom ecosystem is slowly being dismantled — from the onslaught of online abuse targeting women journalists to the weaponization of laws against media practitioners.

UNESCO’s recent global survey of more than 900 women journalists in 125 countries found that 73% had experienced online violence. Individual trauma, discreditation, self-censorship, and the permanent shutdown of independent reporting have become the latest casualties in the war on press freedom.

Meanwhile, “fake news” and disinformation laws continue to be used as a smokescreen to crack down on media freedom, as illustrated most recently by Russia’s newly strengthened fake news laws which criminalize those who disseminate “false information” about the Russian army with a penalty of up to 15 years in prison.

In tandem, there has been a rise in the use of a wider range of laws to silence a free press. Dubbed “lawfare” by human rights barrister Caoilfhionn Gallagher, who acts for Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa, this form of harassment sees journalists facing legal threats ranging from fraud to corruption to breaches of copyright. Gallagher says a new tactic is to hit journalists with a slew of lawsuits simultaneously, forcing them to fight on multiple fronts. This leaves them unable to carry out their work, scrambling to source specialist legal support, and more vulnerable to the effects of smear campaigns.

So, how do we meet such complex and interrelated challenges head on?

Affecting change with the media and the law

Agility, innovation, and collaboration are key. These characteristics underpin the work of the Thomson Reuters Foundation. This year alone, from developing a pioneering online anti-harassment tool for journalists to launching Context, a news platform that covers the human impact of climate change, emerging technology, and the drive towards inclusive economies, our combined expertise — channeled where it can impact most — is what powers our work.

In using the twin engines of the media and the law, the Foundation’s news reporting, media development, free legal assistance, and convening initiatives affect change in three core areas: fostering more inclusive economies, advancing media freedom, and promoting human rights. All of our work is propelled by the belief that societies should be free, fair, and informed. We work with legal practitioners, civil society, policy makers, media organisations, journalists, and the private sector.

The Foundation has a legacy of convening these global players to achieve social impact. It is what drives our annual human rights forum Trust Conference — held this year in London on October 26 and 27 — dedicated to tackling the gravest issues of our time at the intersection of socio-economic inclusion, sustainability, media freedom, and human rights. The conference will bring together some 600 delegates, including world-leading experts, innovators, and activists at the forefront of global efforts to build inclusive and sustainable economies, free and equitable societies, and fair institutions.

Trust Conference schedule

The first day of the forum will focus on the surging threats to media freedom and digital rights. A mixture of keynote speeches, panel discussions, fireside chats, and spotlighted speakers will cover a range of topics — highlighting some of the most courageous reporting in the world, addressing the legal trends hampering media freedom, and the role of bitcoin in supporting the sustainability of journalism, to name a few.

We’ll also be discussing whether the Cambridge Analytica scandal could happen again, the ethical implications of AI developments, and we’ll be hearing from our colleague Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe on her new-found freedom and insights into her harrowing experiences as a victim of political conflict.

The second day addresses the need to build more inclusive and sustainable economies at a time when global inequalities are deepening. We will explore topics such as overcoming barriers to switching to green economies, labor rights, gender equality and economic empowerment, how sustainable development strategies can effectively tackle persistent inequality, and how to incentivize businesses to embed social issues into corporate and investment practices.

Our incredible lineup of speakers includes:

• Dmitry Muratov, Nobel Laureate
• Editor-in Chief Novaya Gazeta
• Vanessa Nakate, Climate Activist
• Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO
• Danny Sriskandarajah, Chief Executive, Oxfam
• Mark Malloch-Brown, President, Open Society Foundations
• Christiane Amanpour CBE, CNN’s Chief International Correspondent
• Irene Khan, United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression
• Brittany Kaiser, Co-founder of Own Your Data Foundation
• Katica Roy, Chief Executive Officer of Pipeline Equity

The only way to achieve progress towards equality and sustainability around the world is through a unified response that leaves no one behind. We need to coalesce, collaborate, and commit to action rather than words.

This is at the heart of the conference — and it is also at the heart of driving social change. Join us on the journey.

This summer, the Thomson Reuters Black Employee Network – Europe chapter launched the Black Internship Scheme (BIS), an initiative that provides paid internships to Black and mixed-race 18- to 24-year-olds. As part of the BIS, we launched INTERNING, a podcast hosted by Beverly Wedderburn, a Senior Product Manager at Thomson Reuters and BIS team lead.

INTERNING focuses on the experience of being a young Black adult navigating the corporate world. Through conversations with our current BIS interns and leaders at Thomson Reuters, Beverley explores the BIS experience, highlights the rewards and challenges of the program, and speaks to the benefits of using alternative pathways to engage with and encourage Black talent into organizations to build a diverse workforce.

Follow along with INTERNING on Spotify.

Episode 1 ) Being the change you want to see

In this episode of INTERNING, President and CEO of Thomson Reuters Steve Hasker and Zion Dapaah, a Sales intern in BIS, joined Beverley to discuss the Thomson Reuters Diversity & Inclusion commitment, the importance of trying new things and not being afraid to fail, listening to your mum, and the many benefits of a good night’s sleep.

Episode 2) Being your authentic self at work

In this episode of INTERNING, our host Beverly is joined by BIS Tech Support intern Kanye Anderson. Listen to Kanye share his thoughts on his internship journey, the importance of bringing your authentic self to work, and how his new puppy Kash has become an honorary team member.

Episode 3) Representation matters

In this episode of INTERNING, our host Beverley is joined by Lucinda Case, Head of Legal Professionals Europe and Patrick Hurley, VP Global Specialty Support. Listen to Lucinda and Patrick share their thoughts on why diverse representation matters, the importance of keeping this conversation alive to influence change, and how they are using their voices to ally, amplify and pay it forward.

Episode 4) This is not a drill! D&I initiatives matter

In this episode of INTERNING, our host Beverley is joined by David Wong, Chief Product Officer and Chris Louie, VP of People and Future of Work Strategy at Thomson Reuters. Listen to Beverley, David and Chris discuss their purpose, what drives them to make change matter, and the importance of the Black Internship Scheme.