Books for Africa celebrated at Thomson Reuters
Books for Africa is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and Thomson Reuters has the distinct honor of being its top level sponsor for all 2013 events. The spring luncheon to kick off the 25th anniversary took place on Wednesday, May 15, followed by a celebration on Thursday, May 16 at the Thomson Reuters Eagan, MN campus, with special guest Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool from the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa. The Books for Africa 25th Gala will take place on Sept. 20, 2013, with Kofi Annan and Walter Mondale as honorary co-chairs of the event.
Books For Africa is the largest shipper of books to the African continent. Since its founding in 1988, Books For Africa has shipped over 27 million books to 48 different countries. Over the past 12 months alone it has shipped 2 million books valued at more than $28 million to 22 African countries. And with the assistance of Thomson Reuters, the Books for Africa Jack Mason Law and Democracy Initiative has sent 62 brand new law libraries to law schools, bar associations and human rights groups in 20 countries.
Tom Pfeifer presents a copy of Black’s Law Dictionary to special guest Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool at the 25th anniversary celebration in Eagan, MN
“Books For Africa has provided an essential lifeline of education and opportunity to the children and students of Africa,” said Annan. “More than ever before, the natural resource which matters most is the talent of a nation’s citizens. Education is the key to unlocking this potential. For hundreds of millions of individuals, literacy is the bridge from misery to hope. For a society and economy, it is simply essential for sustained social, political and economic development.”
In the video clip below, Tom Pfeifer, global head of Customer Sales and Experience, and Sharon Sayles-Belton, vice president of Government Affairs and Community Relations, discuss how Thomson Reuters has supported Books for Africa and will continue that support.
