Lexis Australian CEO "Fasts" For Africa
It's agreed here at HOB that a personal statement isn't a bad thing when talking about the never ending cycle of famine poverty and war in East Africa but let's be honest here. ...
LN have in their greasy palms a whole range of services, tools skills and people that could be employed and knowledge imparted that used on the ground to help individuals and organisations in Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia and Ethiopia with day to day problems that may not be the root cause of famine but certainly contribute to making things a lot worse than they already are.
Here are a few ideas entirely off the top of HOB's head
- Lexis Nexis & West get together to create a "legal peace corps taskforce"
- Legal education at a grassroots level in primary and secondary schools
- Commercial legal rights workshops for farmers, small business owners and especially for women small business owners
- Build a group of LN employees and clients who would be interested in taking on pro bono cases in these jurisdictions to try and start the process of setting precedents
just a thought or two - here's their press release
SYDNEY, November 21, 2011 – LexisNexis® Australia (www.lexisnexis.com.au), a leading provider of content and technology solutions, today launched a recruitment drive in the hunt for CEOs, executives and business leaders to take part in “CEO Fast for Famine”.
From midnight Monday, 12 December to midnight Tuesday, 13 December, participating CEOs and senior executives will fast for 24 hours to raise money for UNICEF’s East Africa appeal, which provides food, clean water and health care to those in need of urgent assistance.
Business leaders who have already agreed to participate include LexisNexis Pacific CEO TJ Viljoen, CEO of Pottinger Cassandra Kelly, Director of NuLegal Anna Fry, and Managing Director at Huron Consulting Nigel Murray.
“CEO Fast for Famine is in direct response to the urgent crisis unfolding across Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti,” said Viljoen. “We’re delighted to partner with UNICEF to help mobilise Australian businesses to raise the immediate funds needed for UNICEF’s emergency relief program. We know it is a stretch at this time of year to grab people’s attention, however we are hopeful the spirit of the festive season will encourage donations.”
The United Nations has officially declared famine in Southern Somalia where 3.7 million people are being affected. Half of those affected are under the age of 18 and one in five is less than five years old.
The LexisNexis partnership with UNICEF is part of the LexisNexis Cares program, which is dedicated to playing a positive role in the local and global communities where LexisNexis operates. LexisNexis is uniquely positioned to mobilise both internal resources and its corporate and legal partners and client base to raise the urgently needed funds.
“We’re urging CEOs, executives and business leaders to join the campaign and ask their colleagues, family and friends to support by donating to an urgent and earnest cause,” said Viljoen.
Pottinger's Joint CEO Cassandra Kelly highlighted that anyone can donate, even if they do not have colleagues participating: "There are already decorations in shop windows reminding us of the festive season, but for those battling starvation, this holiday season is a nightmare, and there is no cause for celebration. Our compassion and sympathy is not enough if we want to help alleviate these inhumane conditions, and so I urge everyone to contribute to those in desperate need."
For more information or to nominate yourself or your company’s senior management for CEO Fast for Famine, please visit www.lexisnexis.com.au/famine.
