Mexico City, October 31, 2022.
At Basham we are fully aware of the obligation we have to contribute to society. That is why the adoption of practices that take into account the principles of corporate social responsibility is a fundamental part of our values as a Firm, in accordance with the ESG program, which is based on the principles of social responsibility.Environmental, Social and Governance"The main purpose of this principle is the consideration and evaluation by companies and organizations of environmental, social and governance factors, both in the decision-making process and in the development of their activities and practices. Under these principles, companies and organizations must take into account the possible implications and impacts that their activities may have on the environmental and social environment in addition to the financial aspects related to them.
At Basham, we have been developing pro-bono activities and services for several years through Fundación Basham, Ringe y Correa, A.C. ("Fundación Basham"), seeking to create a positive impact in the community by providing legal support to foundations and institutions whose main mission is to support the most vulnerable groups.
Through our pro-bono services and our ESG commitment, the Firm seeks to comply with and promote the development of the UN 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a set of global goals to eradicate poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. In this case, in particular, with SDG number 16, which consists of "Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, facilitating access to justice for all, building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels", supporting various institutions and associations in the development of their SDGs, in accordance with their own assistance activities, such as combating hunger, eradicating poverty, improving health and education, as well as promoting environmental care. Descriptions and information regarding the SDGs can be found at: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/objetivos-de-desarrollo-sostenible/
Fundación Basham has goals focused on promoting the rule of law at the national level, guaranteeing equal access to quality legal services for CSOs and social entrepreneurs, as well as promoting and enforcing non-discriminatory laws and policies in favor of sustainable development, thus strengthening the 2030 Agenda and the goals set by the Mexican government.
Since its incorporation, Fundación Basham has signed several declarations and entered into multiple alliances with civil associations to strengthen access to justice and the culture of legality in Mexico. In 2008, it signed the Declaration of Pro-Bono Work for the American Continent of the Cyrus Vance Center of the New York Bar, which it has promoted ever since.
One of the most important alliances at a national level, has consisted in the participation as a Reviewing Member of the Pro-Bono Mexico Standards (EPMX), which is a national movement to establish the bases, motives and considerations to standardize the concept of pro-bono legal work in Mexico among the legal community. Together with EPMX, Fundación Basham celebrates, for the third consecutive year, the pro-bono month in Mexico, which aims to involve young university students in these activities. Below you will find a link to the EPMX: https://estandaresprobono.mx/
As part of the efforts to standardize the concept of pro-bono work and establish metrics for its measurement, since 2019, Fundación Basham has issued a report each year in which it publishes a summary of the activities carried out in the previous year, consisting of free advice to foundations and associations, training, legal representation and development of legal manuals for CSOs. This report includes metrics regarding the time spent by Basham's legal staff on pro-bono cases and their monetary value, establishing a baseline that allows us to take the necessary steps to improve our performance year after year. For your reference, the Basham Foundation 2021 Activity Report can be found at: https://www.basham.com.mx/mailing/REPORTE_2021.pdf
We reiterate the effort made by all members of the Firm through the coordination of Fundación Basham, in order to comply with our social responsibility, seeking to strengthen and implement one of the pillars of corporate social responsibility within the scope of ESG.
Juan José López de Silanes
Alejandro Catalá
Victor Barajas
mbarajas@basham.com.mx
Gerson Vaca
Michelle Anduaga
