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December update
Welcome to the Thomson Reuters Foundation's 2024 year in review!
A message from our CEO, Antonio Zappulla
A very warm season's greetings to you all.
This year has brought significant changes in political leadership across the world, with voters going to the polls in at least 64 countries. The spread of disinformation is becoming more sophisticated, while business leaders are grappling with the rapid adoption of AI. Conflict is having drastic consequences for millions of lives, and we continue to see attacks on journalists holding power to account.
At the Thomson Reuters Foundation, we leverage the combined power of journalism and the law, together with data intelligence, to help shape free, fair and informed societies. In this rapidly evolving climate, our work couldn’t be more critical.
As we reflect on the year and prepare for 2025, I want to extend my gratitude to our incredible partners and donors. Without their ongoing commitment and generosity, none of our work would be possible.
A record-breaking Trust Conference
In October, it was inspiring to see more than 750 people from across the globe gather for our annual forum, Trust Conference, to discuss the multifaceted challenges to global democracy. We had the privilege of hearing from an incredible array of speakers - including Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa, and renowned author and tech journalist Kara Swisher - who spoke about the fight to save democracy as factual and unbiased journalism is repeatedly quashed online. Planning for next year's event is already underway, so mark your calendars for 21-22 October 2025.
The speed of AI adoption also comes with heightened risk
With AI permeating the corporate world, the way businesses harness the benefits of these technologies will have a profound impact on people, society and the environment. With this in mind, we partnered with UNESCO to launch a voluntary and free questionnaire that will act as a roadmap to support business leaders in maximising the potential of AI while acting as a powerful tool to help mitigate risk.
Another key element of our data intelligence portfolio, the Workforce Disclosure Initiative (WDI) transferred to the Foundation earlier this year. This leading voluntary initiative promotes corporate transparency by providing companies and investors with comprehensive and comparable data, improving accountability on workforce issues.
Alongside the Patrick J McGovern Foundation, we equipped over 40 media professionals and civil society organisation representatives in East Africa and Latin America with the skills to effectively integrate AI into their operations. We also conducted valuable research for Latin American policymakers on how to regulate AI use to align with international human rights standards.
Delivering impact through our initiatives
Our programmatic work is routed in our commitment to enabling access to the law, promoting responsible business and supporting the resilience of independent media. I’m proud to see this work go from strength to strength. For instance, pivotal research from our global pro bono network, TrustLaw, played a crucial role in delivering policy change to outlaw child marriage in Colombia. We've also expanded our newsroom initiatives - strengthening the independent media ecosystem in Africa and supporting Russian and Belarusian independent media in exile through mentorship, capacity building, legal support, and the provision of digital tools to cover their most urgent needs.
Thank you all for your dedication to our mission. Together, we are making real strides towards freer, fairer, and more informed societies.
Wishing you all a restful holiday season.
-- Antonio Zappulla, CEO
Discover more in our focus areas:
Strengthening Independent Media | Promoting Responsible Business | Enabling Access to the Law
This month we recommend
READ: Here's why we need inclusive AI: a view from the African continent | Context
LISTEN: ‘I couldn’t cry over my children like everyone else’: the tragedy of Palestinian journalist Wael al-Dahdouh | Guardian Audio Long Read
APPLY: UNESCO and International Women's Media Foundation invite Newsrooms to Safeguard Women's Voices | International Women's Media Foundation
We are the corporate foundation of Thomson Reuters, the global content and technology company. We leverage our media, legal and data-driven expertise to strengthen independent journalism, enable access to the law and promote responsible business.
