RELX SDG Customer Awards 2024

Recognising our customers' exceptional work to achieve the
UN Sustainable Development Goals

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Launched in 2020, the RELX SDG Customer Awards aim to recognise customers who share our commitment to driving action in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

Nominations are received from colleagues, from across RELX's four business divisions, and are judged by a panel of internal experts against the criteria of making a demonstrable and measurable impact against one or more of the Global Goals. The 2024 awards were presented at RELX SDG Inspiration Day by YS Chi, Director of Corporate Affairs, RELX and Chair, Elsevier and Philippa Scarlett, Head of Worldwide Government Affairs and Public Policy.

"We must collaborate and provide equal access to knowledge, resources and technology. We must build strong partnerships and have an honest global dialogue. Let us commit to these principles and work together to leave no one behind."

Ban Ki-moon
Former UN Secretary General
Speaking at RELX SDG Inspiration Day 2024

Nominated by LexisNexis Risk Solutions

BANRESERVAS

Banreservas is a state-owned bank founded on 24 October 1941 by President Rafael Trujillo. Headquartered in Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic, it offers a wide range of financial services, including accounts, loans, credit cards, and investments. As one of the largest banks in the country, it not only supports businesses, government projects, small enterprises, and promotes financial inclusion but also engages in corporate social responsibility initiatives and supports local sports, arts, and community development. It offers digital and mobile banking, investing in technology to enhance service. Governed by a government-appointed board, Banreservas aligns with national economic policies, significantly contributing to the Dominican Republic's financial stability and growth.

Banreservas is committed to advancing many of the SDGs including SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 13: Climate Action

Banreservas supports the transition to a low-carbon economy by measuring environmental impacts and integrating environmental criteria in risk assessments. Key initiatives include:

  • Financing RD$324.95 million through the Renueva Verde program - a financial service programme launched in 2023 to reduce energy costs and negative environmental impacts by offering incentives for families and companies to adopt clean energy solutions.
  • Ensuring 28% of electricity supply in offices comes from renewable resources with installed solar panels.
  • Setting up and operating photovoltaic energy systems in 39 offices.
  • Maintaining a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) indicator below 2.0 in two data centers.

Nominated by Elsevier

American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics

The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) is a professional organisation for clinical and laboratory geneticists, genetic counsellors and other healthcare professionals. Its mission is to improve health through the practice and science of medical genetics and genomics. ACMG provides education and training, develops clinical practice guidelines, publishes the journal "Genetics in Medicine," and hosts an annual meeting to share advancements in the field. It advocates for policies supporting genetic services and promotes the integration of genomic medicine into clinical practice.

ACMG have launched a new Open Access journal - Genetics in Medicine Open - which has a strong emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion, supporting SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

This initiative is designed to positively impact submitting authors from all regions of the world, especially from those regions sometimes overlooked. The focus of the journal goes beyond geography alone and aims to be an attractive outlet for all genders which is also reflected in the journal's Editorial Board.

"Diversity, equity, and inclusion are our focus, and we believe these are the growth pillars of current human genetic research studies."
Bo Juan, Editor in chief

Nominated by RX

UBONGO

Ubongo is a leading pan-African non-profit social enterprise that prioritizes the progression of SDG 4: Quality Education. Through innovative edutainment, Ubongo transforms learning experiences for children across Africa.

Over the span of a decade, Ubongo has evolved from a grassroots initiative in Tanzania to a pan-African social enterprise, reaching over 42 million families in 23 countries across the continent and beyond. Ubongo harnesses the expansive reach of mass media, including broadcast TV, radio, and mobile phones, to provide engaging educational content in 12 languages to households. With a cost as low as $0.10 per child reached via broadcast TV and less than $0.20 for local language content, Ubongo's model is highly scalable. Currently, Ubongo serves more children and families with child-centric early learning resources than any other educational intervention in Africa.

Research indicates that Ubongo's early childhood edutainment significantly enhances learning outcomes. Children who engage with Ubongo’s content show a 13% improvement in early cognitive skills such as literacy and numeracy. Additionally, regular viewers experience a 7% increase in social-emotional learning skills, along with enhanced resilience.

With the projected growth of mobile technology subscriptions in Africa, expected to exceed 50% of the population by 2025, Ubongo anticipates reaching over 120 million children and their families by 2030. anticipates reaching over 120 million children and their families by 2030By expanding access to play-based learning at the household and community levels, Ubongo aims to positively influence a generation of learners, empowering them to become proactive citizens and agents of change. Ubongo’s dedication to quality education has earned it a place in the HundrED Global Collection 2024, which features 100 of the most impactful and scalable education innovations worldwide, selected through a robust evidence-based process.

"By 2028, we aim to reach over 100 million children. Each of those children, we want them to have more life-changing and meaningful impact with ripple effects that will vibrate throughout the continent."
Mwasi Wilmore, CEO, Ubongo

RELX SDG CUSTOMER AWARDS 2024

The RELX SDG Customer Awards 2024 were presented during RELX SDG Inspiration Day on 18 June 2024.

RELX SDG Inspiration Day is a free, annual online event for thought leaders, corporate representatives, students, investors, governments, and NGOs to explore issues and gain practical insights on the UN SDGs and be inspired to act in support of them. The tenth edition of the RELX SDG Inspiration Day 2024 was held on 18th June 2024. The theme of the event was In The Age of AI: Information to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.