Foundation 'goes beyond the concept of giving grants'

In a message to employees, Smith, pictured, said: “It does not operate like other corporate foundations. It goes beyond the concept of giving grants. It leverages the outstanding skills, expertise, and values of Thomson Reuters to run groundbreaking programs which trigger change and empower people across the world.”

Smith said that under the leadership of Monique Villa, its chief executive since 2008, the Foundation had made a global impact.

In 2010, it launched TrustLaw Connect, connecting the world’s best law firms and corporations with NGOs and social enterprises. The service had spread the practice of pro bono work to countries as diverse as Zimbabwe, Fiji, Paraguay and Saudi Arabia, and in just two years had generated the equivalent of $25 million in free legal assistance.

The first annual Trust Women Conference last December sparked concrete commitments to action in order to help women defend their rights, backed by the rule of law. Thirty-four countries – from Pakistan to the United States – were represented at the event, which was attended by delegates from all over the world.

Smith said that as well as launching new initiatives, the Foundation continues to remain committed to its original mandate: journalism. Through TrustMedia it had trained more than 11,000 journalists worldwide and set up Aswat Masriya, an independent and unbiased Egyptian news site which had quickly become an authoritative source of news across the Middle East.

“I am very proud to support the Thomson Reuters Foundation. It represents who we are, our values, and our sincere wish to give back. Please join me in congratulating Monique and her team on this special anniversary.” ■