UN Global Compact Recognizes LexisNexis Head of Rule of Law Development as a 2017 SDG Pioneer

Teresa Jennings recognized for advancing the rule of law

September 12, 2017 — NEW YORK- Teresa Jennings, Head of Rule of Law Development at LexisNexis Legal & Professional has been named one of 10 SDG Pioneers by the United Nations Global Compact. SDG Pioneers are individuals from around the world who champion sustainability through their companies and mobilize the broader business community to act in pursuit of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Each of the 2017 SDG Pioneers is exhibiting how companies and pioneering individuals can be a force for positive change in addressing the issues we all face today,” said Lise Kingo, UN Global Compact CEO and Executive Director. “Ms. Jennings has been impactful in promoting peace, justice and strong institutions in the corporate world. She has been a Pioneer in preserving the rule of law around the globe.”

Ms. Jennings supports the LexisNexis corporate mission to advance the rule of law around the world. In the U.S., she worked with the Uniform Law Commission on a Model Act for the prevention of and remedies for human trafficking. Upon the enactment of the Model Act, Ms. Jennings analyzed the underlying elements of existing anti-human trafficking laws across all states and compared them to the Model Act. She briefed 20 state Attorneys General on the protections available under their state’s existing laws—and where each state’s laws could be enhanced. Since that time, nine states have adopted the Model Act in full, and many more states have enhanced their anti-human trafficking laws generally.

Working with UK-based non-profit Advocates for International Development, Ms. Jennings organized the pro bono work of almost thirty LexisNexis volunteers to write and edit sections of a soon-to-be-released SDG Legal Guide. Volunteers focused on rule of law implications for each of the 17 SDGs. Ms. Jennings also serves on the Steering Committee of the UN Global Alliance for Reporting Progress on Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies. There, she works with UN Member States, civil society groups and business to facilitate Member States in reporting progress on SDG 16 and other SDGs aligned with the elements of peace, justice, and inclusion.

She also led work to engage corporations and key stakeholders in the company’s Business for the Rule of Law (B4ROL) initiative and in the RELX SDG Resource Centre, a free tool developed by RELX Group, parent company of LexisNexis.

“All of our people are advancing the rule of law around the world each day through our core business, and we’re very proud that the UN Global Compact has recognized Terry’s outstanding efforts,” said Ian McDougall, EVP and General Counsel, LexisNexis Legal & Professional. “Data from the LexisNexis Rule of Law Impact Tracker, which combines studies from the World Bank, the World Justice Project and Transparency International, shows that enhancing the rule of law benefits nations economically and socially, so work to achieve peace, justice and strong institutions through SDG 16 is both the right thing to do—and good for business.”

About UN Global Compact SDG Pioneers

Each year, the UN Global Compact celebrates a group of SDG Pioneers – business leaders doing an exceptional job of taking action to advance the Global Goals. Hundreds of nominations were received from diverse regions of the world, from which 10 finalists were selected, exemplifying how business can be a force for good in addressing the challenges we face as a global society. Each Pioneer will be recognized during the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2017 on September 21 in New York. 

A Pioneers Selection Group, comprised of experts from the UN, academia, civil society and the private sector, ranked the nominees based on a set of criteria, resulting in the ten 2017 UN Global Compact SDG Pioneers. Meet all 2017 SDG Pioneers.

The world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, the UN Global Compact calls on companies to align strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption, and take actions that advance societal goals. In the United States of America, over 485 companies and non-business organization have joined the initiative, and the Global Compact Network USA has supported their efforts to advance sustainable business practices since 2007.

The UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2017 is a two-day gathering of the private sector, UN, Government and civil society to jump-start action to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Together, over 800 leaders from around the world are gathered in New York to identify how to unleash the business activities, thinking and innovation required for a new era of sustainability. 

About LexisNexis Legal & Professional

LexisNexis Legal & Professional is a leading global provider of legal, regulatory and business information and analytics that help professional customers make more informed decisions, increase productivity and serve their clients better. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis® and Nexis® services. Today, LexisNexis Legal & Professional harnesses leading-edge technology and world-class content to help professionals work in faster, easier and more effective ways. Through close collaboration with its customers, the company ensures organizations can leverage its solutions to reduce risk, improve productivity, increase profitability and grow their business. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 175 countries with 10,000 employees worldwide, is part of RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries.

Media Contact

Stephanie Sommese
VP, Head of Corporate Communications
LexisNexis Legal & Professional
+1 212 448 2137
Stephanie.sommese@lexisnexis.com