Implementing Agency: NEXUS Institute
Geographic Scope: Global
Years: 2010-ongoing
Project Summary: The NEXUS Institute, with its partners, is assembling a growing network of committed, trained and mobilized members of the legal profession to engage in critically-needed law-related anti-trafficking activities around the world, including providing representation to victims of trafficking.
The international component of the NEXUS Global Initiative’s pro bono work was launched with seed funding in 2010 from the U.S. Department of State. Engaging lawyers to work on legal issues involving human trafficking (and related issues) in the United States has since been added to the international work of this Initiative.
NEXUS’ Global Justice Initiative has six inter-related components. Together these components comprise a unique platform for action and impact based upon the powerful and unique role that the legal profession can play in ending modern slavery. The six pillars of this initiative are:
- Engage law firms/lawyers to combat human trafficking through pro bono programs
- Engage law students by promoting the creation of anti-trafficking clinical programs at law schools and building a global network of law school anti-trafficking legal clinics
- Case tracking, documentation and monitoring
- Strategic litigation
- Serve as a hub of resources and expertise to support the work of pro bono lawyers
- Collaborate with leaders in social enterprise and business, health, design, development and other fields to apply their professional expertise to address issues of modern slavery
These six pillars of NEXUS Institute’s Global Justice Initiative engage lawyers and law students to put their professional skills and energy to work securing justice for victims of trafficking, as well as seeking needed policy and legal reforms. Together these activities comprise a sustainable platform for meaningful action by members of the legal profession to achieve positive and tangible results against human trafficking.