Dear friends,

First and foremost, I hope this finds you all safe and well. 

2021 has undoubtedly presented many of the same challenges as the previous year, as the world has continued to grapple with the long-term disruption and devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet I have also been heartened to witness a real shift in the discourse, with decision-makers coming together to examine how we might emerge from this crisis stronger, and address many of the systemic inequalities the pandemic laid bare.

At the Thomson Reuters Foundation, we have done all we can to help move this conversation forward, combining the unique power of our media and legal expertise to deliver work that contributes to our vision of free, fair and informed societies. Through the efforts of the past year, I can proudly say that we have cemented our position as a truly global organisation, renowned for its expertise and thought leadership in our three areas of focus; advancing media freedom, fostering more inclusive economies and promoting human rights. These pillars of our work are interconnected, interdependent and overlapping, much like many of the challenges we seek to address.

In addition to continuing to build on the strength of our core services - news, media development and free legal assistance and research through TrustLaw - we have also made real strides towards combining these unique services to bring innovative projects and partnerships to life.

To share only a few examples, we facilitated a partnership, bringing together civil society, experts, and the private sector to emphasise the importance of the ‘social’ criteria within Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing. Together, the Group produced a white paper: “Amplifying the “S” in the ESG: Investor Myth Buster”, to help further the momentum for both improving an understanding of the “S” issues and a wider adoption of social criteria in investment strategies.

At our annual Trust Conference this November, which was attended by more than 800 delegates tuning in from 75 countries, we launched the Legal Network for Journalists at Risk (LNJAR) in partnership with the Committee to Protect Journalist (CPJ) and Media Defence. The LNJAR will strategically coordinate the different types of support currently offered by various organisations with the goal of providing journalists and independent media outlets at risk with a single-entry point into an ecosystem of support.

In partnership with UNESCO, the International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF), and the International News Safety Institute (INSI), we also launched a number of practical and legal tools for journalists, media managers and newsrooms to counter harassment. These tools aim to address the challenges experienced by reporters and media workers in a climate where nearly three-quarters of women journalists surveyed say they have experienced online abuse.

It would be impossible for me to relay every achievement from the past year in one message, so I would like to invite you to read our organisational overview, which provides a snapshot of the breadth, scope, impact and legacy of the Foundation’s work – past and present. It showcases what an organisation can achieve if it can adapt and change to channel its expertise in response to the most pressing needs of the time. Here, you’ll find innovation both from previous years, alongside highlights of our work from the past year alone – a period of extraordinary growth and development for the Foundation.

While it has not been easy, the work we have done in this period is more ambitious than ever. That we have done so with such success this year is testament to the skill, commitment, and professionalism of the Thomson Reuters Foundation team. I look forward to sharing even bigger and better things with you in 2022.

Allow me to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest and support in our work, and to wish you a happy and healthy year ahead.

With warm wishes -

Antonio Zappulla
CEO, Thomson Reuters Foundation