Georgia-Pacific

Saint-Gobain Corporation

The Chemours Company

Georgia-Pacific’s Fordyce OSB Mill Donates $12,000 to South Arkansas College Foundation

E... for Embodied Emissions, a Saint-Gobain Podcast

Chemours: Creating a More Sustainable, Circular Future

LEADERSHIP COMMITMENT 
“2023 was another year of NBK's steadfast dedication to sustainable practices, which was marked by the launch of our 3-year ESG Strategy Roadmap. Our roadmap lays out key goals and commitments in areas where we can significantly contribute to a sustainable and just transition to a low carbon economy. These are designed to make positive environmental and social impacts on the communities we serve. On behalf of NBK, I extend my gratitude to all our stakeholders for their consistent support. We're confident that together, we can fulfil our ESG commitments, achieving tangible results towards a sustainable, socially fair future. Let's continue forward to seize the opportunities that our shared commitment to sustainability offers.” Hamad Mohamed Al-Bahar 
Chairman

ABOUT 2023 NBK SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

This is NBK's eighth consecutive annual Sustainability Report and factsheet focusing on the 2023 fiscal year. The report provides a detailed summary of the Bank's significant ESG and sustainability matters, threats, and performance data. Here we also covered our entire ESG policies, strategies, and pledges for the reporting period. Our report is centered around the four pillars of NBK's enhanced ESG Strategy Framework. Moreover, this report is aligned with both domestic and global sustainability or ESG reporting standards and frameworks including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainable Accounting Standards Board (SASB), United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), Boursa Kuwait's ESG Reporting Guidelines, and Kuwait Vision 2035.

ABOUT NBK

NBK was established in 1952 and is the first shareholding company and a domestic bank within GCC to be locally founded. Currently, NBK is the leading conventional banking group in Kuwait. The bank also boasts about its credit ratings and brand value, positioning it among the top regional banks. NBK operates in 13 countries and boasts a network of more than 140 branches spread across 4 continents with its headquarters located in Kuwait. NBK's primary business operations include Consumer Banking, Corporate Banking, NBK Wealth and Islamic Banking (through subsidiary Boubyan Bank).

ESG AT NBK

Leadership at NBK believes that sustainability is crucial for the bank's success and is strongly committed to integrating sustainability efforts with our core business actions, risk management, services, and operations. The ESG Strategy aims to support economic growth and act as an example of sustainable development. This strategy is built around four main pillars: Governance for Resilience; Responsible Banking; Capitalizing on our Capabilities; and Investing in our Communities.

GOVERNANCE FOR RESILIENCE

NBK upholds strong ethical standards and comprehensive strategic planning, supported by transparent governance structures. Combined with our robust risk management that buffers against various risks, these key elements assure stakeholders of our powerful leadership, oversight, and accountability. In 2023, NBK launched a modular ESG governance framework with Board oversight. NBK also adopted measures to handle climate and ESG risks and opportunities. In this context, NBK institutionalized alignment with the recommendations of Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) during the year and developed a roadmap for adequately integrating climate-related matters in the bank’s enterprise risk management framework.

Key Highlights in 2023:

<ul><li>The Board approved the Group ESG Strategy, setting a formal implementation mandate.</li>
	<li>ESG metrics have been integrated into the Board and Executive Management's responsibilities.</li>
	<li>A Sustainability &amp; Climate Change Committee, headed by the Vice Chairman &amp; GCEO, has been established.</li>
	<li>Five Sustainability Sub-Committees have been created, delegating ESG roles to the Executive Management.</li>
	<li>NBK joined the UNGC to enhance international alignment and stakeholder engagement.</li>
	<li>Maintained a score of ‘C’ from CDP, for both the Climate Change and Forest categories.</li>
</ul>RESPONSIBLE BANKING

NBK intends to enhance sustainable finance offerings and support clients' transition to sustainable business models. NBK recently incorporated ESG metrics into their client credit assessments, covering aspects like safety, environmental protection, succession planning, and governance. Moreover, we persistently monitor and handle our energy and water usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and material usage and disposal, while also ensuring it is all accurately reported

Key Highlights in 2023:

Sustainable Finance:

<ul><li>Approximately USD 3.65 billion in Sustainable Assets.</li>
	<li>Expanded bank offerings to Eco-friendly EV and Housing Loans.</li>
	<li>Updated procurement policies to include ESG principles.</li>
</ul>Energy Management: 

<ul><li>Reduced electricity consumption by 5.75% YoY and 15.8% compared to our baseline year (2021) through proactive energy management.</li>
	<li>Installed Building Energy Management System (BEMS) in 22 local branches</li>
</ul>Climate Change and Decarbonization:

<ul><li>Reduced overall disclosed GHG emissions by 10.43% compared to baseline year (2021).</li>
</ul>Responsible Procurement:

<ul><li>NBK has revised its Procurement Policy with the inclusion of ESG, implementing a more sustainable procurement strategy and methodology.</li>
	<li>Local suppliers comprised 70% of NBK's total suppliers and 84% of the total procurement spending.</li>
</ul>CAPITALIZING ON OUR CAPABILITIES

NBK's strategy of 'Capitalizing on our Capabilities' is primarily focused on promoting sustainable business growth through organizational resilience. This starts with how we manage our workplace. Our policies, culture, practices, and programs are all designed to encourage a bank-wide transformation that aligns with our sustainability goals, achieved through extensive employee engagement and development programs. Alongside outlining our HR practices, we also state our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. We strive to foster health, safety, and wellbeing, and continuously work towards establishing a flexible work environment that embraces digital solutions.

Key Highlights in 2023: Diversity, Equity &amp; Inclusion:

<ul><li>Women represent 44.0% of the workforce, with 28.8% females in managerial positions.</li>
	<li>Awarded by MEED: “Best Implementation of Diversity &amp; Inclusion Initiatives”.</li>
	<li>41.9% of new hires are female.</li>
	<li>84.5% of new hires are Kuwaitis.</li>
</ul>Employee Development:

<ul><li>Provided Sustainability Champions across the Bank with training on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards.</li>
	<li>Introduced the Sustainability Essentials Training Program Group-wide, enhancing employees' understanding of key sustainability concepts.</li>
	<li>147,701 total training hours. On average, each employee received 6.1 training hours.</li>
	<li>Over 3,300 training hours on ESG-related topics with focus on Sustainability Awareness, Sustainable Finance, and Climate Risk Management.</li>
</ul>Employee Engagement and Wellbeing:

<ul><li>Implemented an Employee Grievance Policy, accessible to all employees via the NBK Group website.</li>
	<li>Launched the Employee Engagement Survey "Your Voice Matters" in 2023 to foster a better and more inclusive workplace.</li>
</ul>Digital Transformation:

<ul><li>Introduced a new mobile banking experience titled “Tailored for You”, offering NBK Customers the latest digital services</li>
</ul>INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES

Giving back to the community is an integral part of NBK's mission and therefore 'Investing in our Communities' is a critical component of our ESG Strategy. Our community investments primarily aim to offer superior customer service, promote financial inclusion, enhance financial literacy and accessibility, and provide customer security, including data privacy. In addition, NBK has an extensive history of making sizeable financial contributions to community development. We are continuously focused on maximizing the positive social impact of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investments, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). Key Highlights in 2023: Nationalization:

<ul><li>76.7% Nationalization rate.</li>
	<li>Launched the NBK Tech Academy in 2023, offering innovative digital transformation programs for Kuwaiti youth.</li>
</ul>Community Development:

<ul><li>Community Investments totaled KD 28 million in 2023 (USD 91 million), a 22% increase from 2022.</li>
	<li>“Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility in the Middle East 2023” by Euromoney.</li>
	<li>NBK organized a Media Awareness Workshop on Sustainability and Climate Change, the first-of-its-kind in Kuwait.</li>
	<li>Committed KD 3.0 (USD 9.8) million for the restructuring of Shuwaikh Beach Waterfront in line with NBK’s corporate responsibility and sustainability principles.</li>
</ul>Financial Inclusion: 

<ul><li>Launched new designs for all our cards aligned with our inclusivity goals, including design themes especially for the visually impaired.</li>
	<li>Launched the “BANKEE” financial literacy program in Kuwait’s schools, with 15,940 students and around 3,400 teachers participating.</li>
</ul>Women Empowerment:

<ul><li>Excellence in Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity Bronze Winner for NBK RISE by SHRM.</li>
	<li>Awarded by MEED: “Best Initiative for Women in Business”.</li>
	<li>Launched “She’s Next” initiative in partnership with VISA, a global advocacy program that aims to support women-owned small businesses.</li>
</ul>The 2023 NBK Sustainability Report can be found at: <a href="https://www.nbk.com/sustainability/sustainability-reports.html" target="_blank">https://www.nbk.com/sustainability/sustainability-reports.html</a> 
The 2023 NBK Annual Report can be found at: <a href="https://www.nbk.com/investor-relations/latest-annual-report.html" target="_blank">https://www.nbk.com/investor-relations/latest-annual-report.html</a>

For additional information about NBK’s sustainability work, please contact: 
Hisham Abouali 
Sustainability Manager <a href="mailto:sustainability@nbk.com" target="_blank">sustainability@nbk.com</a> 
Tel: +965-22295188

“Bridging the Gap: Towards a More Sustainable Future”

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<a href="https://www.harman.com/career/Career-Stories/Pages/Meet-Kelly---Navigating-the-World-of-Engineering-with-Empathy.aspx" target="_blank">Originally published on Life at HARMAN</a>

The Role and Responsibilities

Kelly has been with <a href="https://www.harman.com/" target="_blank">HARMAN</a> for two years and leads the North American Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) lab. The lab specializes in hardware validation testing of electronic products such as amplifiers and head units. Kelly's leadership philosophy centers around empathy, a quality she believes is often underestimated. "Sometimes empathy is overlooked as a leadership strength—but I'm here to challenge that," Kelly asserts. Leading a team of 10, she ensures the lab runs smoothly and efficiently and that the electrical components inside vehicles function as intended. This requires technical expertise, coordination, collaboration, and a deep understanding of her team members' needs and motivations.
<img alt="HARMAN Engineer Kelly with coworkers." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="87ada528-da19-40ac-9b92-c0519f19ff35" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harman%20Simply%20Engineer%20-%20Kelly_HARMAN_9.5.24A.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />The Power of Emotions

Kelly believes being aware and mindful of emotions is crucial for fostering innovation and problem-solving in tech. "Acknowledging emotions allows people to be as creative and open as possible and to think of solutions that may not be obvious." She strives to create an environment where her team feels safe and comfortable, allowing them to thrive rather than just get the job done. This approach encourages creativity and helps overcome roadblocks by fostering a sense of connection and collaboration.

Doubt is Part of Being Successful​

One of Kelly's standout moments at HARMAN was her first meeting as the lead EMC engineer. Tasked with presenting validation results to a customer and negotiating deviations for anomalies observed during testing, Kelly faced skepticism about her ability to lead. She successfully led the meeting through careful preparation and coaching, building her confidence and establishing a strong working relationship with the customer. This experience was pivotal in her development as an engineer and a leader, reinforcing her ability to handle complex technical challenges and negotiations.
<img alt="HARMAN Engineer Kelly giving a high-five." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e37dffdf-44a4-4e7f-9ffa-ca057bd17332" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harman%20Simply%20Engineer%20-%20Kelly._HARMAN_9.5.24B.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />Advice for Aspiring Engineers

If you ask Kelly, she will tell you to "Stay hungry for knowledge. If there's something you're curious about, explore it by asking colleagues or managers or conducting your research." Moreover, she emphasizes the importance of networking with a diverse range of professionals, not just within one's immediate circle. "You never know when a relationship can lead to your next career opportunity."

Life Outside of Work

Balancing a demanding career and family life, Kelly often finds herself playing the roles of Uber driver and cheerleader for her kids' extracurricular activities. Whether shuttling them to gymnastics or basketball practice, helping with homework, or cheering them on at competitions, Kelly brings the same dedication and empathy to her family that she does to her work. "It's all about finding solutions and keeping everything running like a machine," she confesses.  
<img alt="HARMAN Engineer Kelly sitting at her desk." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b420f558-9e2e-4fc1-9bf0-3aea3a712d6a" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harman%20Simply%20Engineer%20-%20Kelly_HARMAN_9.5.24C.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />Kelly's journey at HARMAN shows that empathy and leadership are not antithetic concepts but complementary realities. Her ability to balance technical acumen with emotional intelligence sets her apart as a leader in the automotive industry. Whether guiding her team through a technical challenge or supporting her kids through their activities, Kelly's empathetic approach ensures that everyone around her feels valued and empowered.​

In a field that often prioritizes hard skills, Kelly's story powerfully reminds us that empathy and human connection are just as critical for innovation and success.
<img alt="HARMAN Engineer Kelly with her son." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="98aad0ad-1866-4fa1-b136-36d6c9ca78b7" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harman%20Simply%20Engineer%20-%20Kelly_HARMAN_9.5.24D.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />Follow us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/harman-international/posts/?feedView=all" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/harman_intl/?igsh=ZzBnMnF1aDNhNTc%3D" target="_blank">Instagram​</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HarmanInt" target="_blank">Facebook</a> to learn more about our view on leadership and innovation driven by people who feel valued.

Meet HARMAN Engineer Kelly; Navigating the World of Engineering With Empathy

<img alt="Collage of photo's of students participating in Michigan Hospitality Foundation’s (MHF) ProStart Invitational" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="056d7294-3d55-436e-a59a-18d04af8bee6" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/ProStartPastaComp_Whirlpool_081524.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="751" loading="lazy" />Earlier this year, more than 400 students from across the state participated in Michigan Hospitality Foundation’s (MHF) ProStart Invitational sponsored by KitchenAid. It’s the highest-level competition for Michigan high school students training for culinary and hospitality careers. Through this program, students had the opportunity to compete against other culinary students, with the winning teams receiving an invitation to the 2024 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at the Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Mich. for a unique culinary opportunity.

In the pasta competition, teams of young, aspiring chefs from five high schools were recognized for their pasta creations:

<ul><li>Bay Arenac ISD</li>
	<li>RCTC Ypsilanti</li>
	<li>Gaylord High School</li>
	<li>Allegan ESA</li>
	<li>DCTC Riverview High School</li>
</ul>Last month, these five high school teams were invited to work side-by-side with professional chefs at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. The teams reprised their pasta competition, this time judged by KitchenAid celebrity chefs in front of a live audience. They also had the opportunity to engage in educational sessions led by renowned chefs.

This in-depth experience helped the students gain insight into the hospitality industry and explore diverse career pathways. DCTC Riverview High School was crowned the grand champion with their Red Coconut Curry Pasta creation. Each team member from DCTC Riverview, including their educator, took home a KitchenAid stand mixer, and each participating team received a KitchenAid stand mixer for their classroom.

“The KitchenAid ProStart Pasta Competition took students beyond the kitchen and taught them critical life lessons around preparation, critical thinking, communication, flexibility and teamwork,” said Amanda Smith, executive director of the MHF. “These are all skills that directly relate to their future culinary careers, and experiences like this are invaluable at this point in their education.”

Opportunities in the industry are rapidly growing. Hospitality is currently an $18 billion dollar industry in Michigan supporting 595,000 jobs and ranks among the top 10 fastest growing sectors in the state with 20,000 current job openings. The KitchenAid brand hopes to further develop the next generation of culinary professionals across the state through impactful, hands-on education.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading kitchen and laundry appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home and inspiring generations with our brands. The company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2023, the company reported approximately $19 billion in annual sales, 59,000 employees, and 55 manufacturing and technology research centers.  Additional information about the company can be found at <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwhirlpoolcorp.com%2F&amp;n=28067" target="_blank">WhirlpoolCorp.com</a>.

View original content <a href="https://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/kitchenaid-brands-support-of-michigan-hospitality-foundation-competition-gives-students-invaluable-culinary-experience/" target="_blank">here</a>.

KitchenAid Brand’s Support of Michigan Hospitality Foundation Competition Gives Students Invaluable Culinary Experience

<img alt="Close up of a bird in flight" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b8e6c035-3d8f-4858-8626-bc4eec7b4025" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/GettyImages-1225473667.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="912" loading="lazy" /><a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.internationalpaper.com%2Freports&amp;n=1267581" target="_blank">Originally published in International Paper's 2023 Sustainability Report</a>

In 2023, the American Forest &amp; Paper Association (AF&amp;PA) honored International Paper with a Leadership in Sustainability Award for Resilient U.S. Forests. The award recognized our innovative approach to promoting forest bird awareness and conservation within the forest product supply chain in partnership with the American Bird Conservancy (ABC). This multi-year partnership aims to integrate bird conservation into our procurement operations and value chain and provide a measurable contribution towards reversing the decline of forest birds.

One of the significant outcomes of this partnership is targeted work with an iconic bird species in the Southeastern U.S.: the Swallow-tailed Kite (STKI). STKIs are one of North America’s most beautiful birds of prey, with distinctive black and white plumage and a long, forked tail. They are also long-distance migrants that spend their spring and summer months in the Southeastern forests of the U.S. and then migrate to their wintering grounds in South America.

Since 2021, working with the Avian Research and Conservation Institute, nine STKIs have been trapped and fitted with radio transmitters near International Paper mills in South Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana. This year alone, five STKIs have received transmitters. These transmitters allow us and our conservation partners to follow the STKIs’ movements across the landscape so we can further understand their specific habitat needs. Additionally, we can enter that data into our ForSiteTM mapping system to target conservation efforts and outreach in the most strategic areas.

This past year, the transmitters allowed researchers to document the amazing journey made by one of the male STKIs captured in Georgia, named Barrington. The bird’s migration started on the Altamaha River, where it led the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to a pre-migration roost of over 600 STKIs — the first of its kind outside of Florida. The trackers then followed Barrington for four months on a long and winding journey over the Gulf of Mexico, including a 48-hour stretch over water, before continuing through South America into Bolivia and central Brazil — a truly incredible flight.

Forest certification

Forest certification underpins our commitment to sustainable forest management. Our procurement systems and mills are certified to the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification™ (PEFC™) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) chain of custody standards and the SFI Fiber sourcing standard.

To meet the growing customer demand for certified products, our internal FSC forest management group, Certified Forest Management (CFM) LLC, helps small, private landowners become FSC-certified cost-effectively. It has become the largest privately run group of certified landowners in the U.S.

Since 2012, CFM has enrolled and maintained FSC forest management certification for:

920,769 acres in 607 properties across 11 states

<a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.internationalpaper.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Ffile%2F2024-05%2F2023%2520International%2520Paper%2520Sustainability%2520Report.pdf%3FcacheToken%3Dkxdd2ffOwi2cxWz5&amp;n=1267581" target="_blank">Read more</a>

About International Paper

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of sustainable packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of the world's largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what's next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2023 were $18.9 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.3blmedia.com%2Ftrack%3Fu%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.internationalpaper.com%252F%26n%3D67052&amp;n=1267581" target="_blank">internationalpaper.com/.</a>

About International Paper - EMEA

In Europe, Middle East &amp; Africa (EMEA), International Paper focuses on the production and marketing of fiber-based packaging and specialty pulp, employing approximately 4,400 people. As a leading supplier of high-quality corrugated containers for a multitude of applications, we serve customers throughout the region from our network of two recycled containerboard mills and 23 box plants in France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Specialty pulp is made in Gdansk, Poland. Other products available from International Paper in the region include a variety of Kraft linerboard and other pulp products.

Honored for Leadership: International Paper’s Commitment to Forest Bird Conservation

<img alt="Darby Aono-Shek" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fe6aba86-a4be-4703-bfa2-9e44fd248870" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/DarbyAonoShek_clorox_082324.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="486" loading="lazy" />More than four years ago we made a commitment — through The Clorox Company Foundation — to help fight racism and inequality. Some of our financial commitment goes toward supporting Equal Justice Works fellows like Darby Aono-Shek. Darby is working with UnCommon Law to help older incarcerated people, many of whom are Black and Latinx, challenge their illegal parole denials.

Tell me a little bit about the organization where you work and what it does.

I work at an organization called UnCommon Law. We’re based in Oakland, and we fight to ensure that people who are incarcerated in California have access to healing, justice and effective legal representation as they seek release through the parole hearing process. Our attorneys use trauma-informed legal counseling to unpack the underlying factors that contributed to a person’s crime and help them prepare a safe pathway home from prison.

In addition to representing people at parole hearings, UnCommon Law uses litigation to challenge illegal parole denials and address systemic issues within the parole system. We also partner with legislators, community members, impacted families, and loved ones to support legislation that advances the freedom and well-being of incarcerated people.

How did you become involved in this field?

I’ve always known that I wanted to work with people in prison, but I didn’t know anything about California’s parole process until my first year of law school, when I took a class taught by UnCommon Law founder and executive director Keith Wattley.

It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with UnCommon Law’s work. As part of Keith’s class, each student was paired with an incarcerated person who was navigating the parole process. I was in awe of the strength, courage and vulnerability that people showed going through the process. I thought, “How many attorneys get to learn from and feel inspired by their clients every day? I’d be the luckiest attorney in the world.”

I interned with UnCommon Law during my second year of law school, and I joined the team full-time as an Equal Justice Works legal fellow in 2022.

What are some examples of the challenges that UnCommon Law’s clients have faced?

In California, the parole board holds an extraordinary amount of power over people’s lives with limited oversight to ensure that it wields that power legally. As a result, in some situations the parole board denies parole for illegal reasons, keeping people in prison for years beyond when the law says they should have been released.

For example, the parole board denied parole to a 69-year-old woman suffering from Parkinson’s, early dementia and memory loss from an assault where she was knocked unconscious. Due to her memory issues, she often took pauses while answering the parole board’s questions. The parole board denied her parole, claiming that her difficulty answering questions was proof that she was “manipulative” and “lacking in sincerity.”

In California, parole denials must be challenged through habeas corpus petitions (a legal challenge to one’s imprisonment), but there is no right to habeas counsel for these cases. As a result, pro se litigants (people who represent themselves without an attorney) provide a primary check on the parole board, but systemic barriers and a lack of support make it virtually impossible for most people to do so.

How has your work addressed those challenges?

My fellowship is focused on helping older people who are incarcerated challenge their illegal parole denials. I’m taking a two-pronged approach to accomplishing this: 1) assuming a caseload through direct representation; and 2) focusing on the many people who have been denied parole but don’t have access to counsel.

I’m developing a comprehensive guide to filing habeas petitions without an attorney that will be available to people across California prisons. That way, more people can feel empowered to hold the parole board accountable, even if they can’t afford an attorney.

Clorox Equal Justice Works Fellow Spotlight: Supporting Older Incarcerated People Through the Parole Process

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Technology experts in education say signing up for T-Mobile’s Project 10Million, the company’s initiative aimed at delivering internet connectivity to millions of underserved student households, can help set children up for success in the classroom and beyond — and why it’s as important now as ever.

John Sousa, the Chief Information Officer for the East Orange School District in New Jersey, says the Covid pandemic highlighted a significant issue he had long been aware of: the digital divide among students.

“There was already an imbalance,” says Sousa, reflecting on how online state-required <a href="https://hechingerreport.org/online-testing-is-heading-to-new-jersey-schools/" target="_blank">testing</a> prior to the pandemic exposed the lack of internet access for some families. “The pandemic only exacerbated the digital divide for many of the 11,000 students in our district.”

Of course, Sousa’s school district was far from alone in this challenge. In 2020, between 15 million to 16 million U.S. students were living in households without reliable internet access, according to a <a href="https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/the-digital-divide-has-left-millions-of-school-kids-behind/" target="_blank">report</a> by Boston Consulting Group and nonprofit Common Sense.

In response to these growing challenges, Sousa reached out to T-Mobile during the pandemic to explore solutions for improving internet access for his district’s students.

“I got in touch with T-Mobile and asked how we can provide connectivity when as much as 20% of our community is in this gap that exists for families that can’t afford to provide high-speed internet to the students,” says Sousa. “And how can we make it a seamless transition between T-Mobile, the school and the students so that we don’t have overlap or confusion on the exact need we are facing”

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Sousa says that T-Mobile jumped right in and provided approximately 3,800 hotspots through Project 10Million, the Un-carrier’s $10.7 billion education initiative. Announced in 2019 and launched in 2020, Project 10Million aims to close the digital divide in education by offering free internet connectivity and mobile hotspots for up to 10 million eligible student households. Additionally, the program provides school districts with free or heavily subsidized data plans and ensures that all participants have access to affordable laptops and tablets.

By the end of last year, T-Mobile had <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/responsibility/reporting" target="_blank">provided</a> $6.4 billion in products and services and connected nearly 6 million students across the country through Project 10Million and other education initiatives.

“The hotspots have given us peace of mind because we no longer have to worry about missing any students who still lack access,” says Sousa. “We’re largely understaffed and don’t have the resources that we would need to manage the project the way that it needed to be managed. T-Mobile’s team worked out all those details, delivered it all and helped get the broadband access out there to students that are stuck in the digital divide.”

Sousa says in a school district with many families who are homeless or living without regular access to connectivity, Project 10Million has become an invaluable service.

As students head back to school this fall, internet access is ever more critical for kids to learn and thrive in an increasingly digital world. Yet today, <a href="https://www.ntia.gov/report/2024/office-internet-connectivity-and-growth-2023-annual-report" target="_blank">24 million</a> U.S. households still lack reliable internet.

That’s why, as families make their annual <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/offers/back-to-school-checklist-devices-and-gadgets" target="_blank">back to school checklists</a> for new backpacks and pencils, Sousa says he wants those in need to know that adding Project 10Million might be one of the most important things to help prepare for a successful school year.
<img alt="adult and two children on a computer" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f554b4a7-702a-4d54-ae03-25b7ce2a7296" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/learning_tmobile_82924.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="600" loading="lazy" />BANNER P10M Study Guide Check List

• Project 10Million is T-Mobile’s $10.7 billion initiative committed to offering free connectivity to up to 10 million eligible students across the country.

• T-Mobile also works with school districts by giving them free connectivity and subsidized data plans. Plus, everyone in the program has access to affordable laptops and tablets.

It’s easy to get started! Check eligibility and sign up for Project 10Million at: <a href="http://www.t-mobile.com/Project10Million" target="_blank">www.t-mobile.com/Project10Million</a>

Connecting Classrooms: How T-Mobile’s Project 10Million Powers Student Learning

<img alt="Two people in protective clothing looking at a tablet" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d0a89d7c-1eef-46eb-82aa-0d5d70879cb3" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/partners-suppliers-uplift-worker-voice_AMD_082224.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="633" loading="lazy" />In 2023, three Manufacturing Suppliers at four facilities in the locations of Malaysia and Taiwan offered migrant workers an anonymous survey to gain insight into the workers’ recruitment experience. The surveys were voluntary and available in the workers’ native languages.

The survey responses validated information about the workforce that each site had self-reported. Most of the migrant workers employed at these facilities are women from the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The surveys also provided new insights, including that number of labor agents that workers use and their level of satisfaction with those agents: The vast majority reported using one agency, and workers overwhelmingly said they “would recommend the recruitment agent used to a friend.”

Other questions were designed to provide insight into the recruitment practices of the agents and facilities compared to requirements in the RBA Code of Conduct. For example, nearly all workers reported receiving a copy of their employment contract in their native language, attending a pre-departure orientation, and having access to personal documents at any time.

In all cases, the facilities provided training to migrant workers in their native languages on their rights. The aim was to reinforce that these workers should not be obliged to pay employment-related fees, as defined by the RBA Definition of Fees (2021), and should have access to personal documents, as well as highlighting how to communicate feedback or concerns to management.

At AMD, we continue to evaluate the best use cases for worker surveys, while also discussing with peers how collectively we can support our suppliers to have effective grievance mechanisms in place.

Read more at <a href="https://www.amd.com/en/corporate/corporate-responsibility/supply-chain-responsibility.html" target="_blank">https://www.amd.com/en/corporate/corporate-responsibility/supply-chain-responsibility.html</a>.  <a href="https://www.amd.com/content/dam/amd/en/documents/corporate/cr/corporate-responsibility-report.pdf" target="_blank">Originally published in AMD 2023-24 Corporate Responsibility Report</a>.

In 2023, three Manufacturing Suppliers at four facilities in the locations of Malaysia and Taiwan offered migrant workers an anonymous survey to gain insight into the workers’ recruitment experience. The surveys were voluntary and available in the workers’ native languages.

AMD Partners with Suppliers to Uplift Worker Voice

“2023 was another year of NBK's steadfast dedication to sustainable practices, which was marked by the launch of our 3-year ESG Strategy Roadmap. 

<img alt="Two people in pink high-vis vests talk to another, a table full of black bags between them. " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="76ed595f-38bf-4a0f-acd8-ad380ad67a6b" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/prepare_tmobile_090524.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" />In the midst of a <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/08/21/oregon-wildfire-season-record-breaking" target="_blank">record-breaking wildfire season</a> and a <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/highly-active-hurricane-season-likely-to-continue-in-atlantic" target="_blank">highly active hurricane season</a>, it’s more crucial than ever to be ready if disaster hits. Yet nearly half of American adults in 2023 believed they were <a href="https://www.fema.gov/about/openfema/data-sets/national-household-survey" target="_blank">unprepared for a disaster</a>, according to FEMA.

T-Mobile has taken significant steps to further prepare its network, teams and emergency response capabilities to keep customers, communities and first responders connected. This National Preparedness Month, here are some tips from T-Mobile that can help you be ready when it matters most.

Make your phone disaster-proof

Most of us have friends, family and coworkers programmed in our phones. But in an emergency, you may need to contact local police, fire departments or power companies. Program these numbers now so you don’t spend precious time looking them up during an emergency.

When disaster hits, enable your phone’s battery saving mode and dark mode to conserve charge. Keep calls and texts to a minimum. Download the American Red Cross and FEMA apps, subscribe to local authorities’ text alerts and follow them on social networks to receive important updates.

If your power and Wi-Fi connection are still on but your mobile service is down, you may be able to call someone via Wi-Fi.

<ul><li>For Apple phones, turn on Wi-Fi Calling in Settings &gt; Phone &gt; Wi-Fi Calling</li>
	<li>For Android phones, go to Settings &gt; More Connection Settings &gt; Wi-Fi Calling.</li>
</ul>Sometimes during a severe weather event or natural disaster, increased calls and texts at the same time can cause telecommunications networks to become congested. If you have trouble making calls, try texting instead. Text messages are more likely to get through than phone calls because they take up fewer network resources.

Assemble a Go Bag

Save precious time if disaster strikes by having a “<a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/everything-you-need-in-your-go-bag-2023" target="_blank">Go Bag</a>,” which you can grab at a moment’s notice and evacuate.

The <a href="https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html" target="_blank">American Red Cross</a> recommends packing basic supplies including:

<ul><li>Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)</li>
	<li>Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)</li>
	<li>Flashlight</li>
	<li>Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)</li>
	<li>Extra batteries</li>
	<li>First aid kit</li>
	<li>Medications (7-day supply) and medical items</li>
	<li>Multi-purpose tool</li>
	<li>Sanitation and personal hygiene items</li>
	<li>Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)</li>
	<li>Cell phone with chargers</li>
	<li>Family and emergency contact information</li>
	<li>Extra cash</li>
	<li>Emergency blanket</li>
	<li>Map(s) of the area</li>
</ul>You can also create a <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/community/how-to-create-a-family-emergency-plan-2023" target="_blank">family emergency plan</a> ahead of time with steps you and your loved ones can take if a natural disaster hits. This printable plan includes a meeting place and contact information so you can act quickly.
<img alt="Info graphic &quot;Stay Connected During Natural Disasters&quot; with tips." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="036dd199-e273-4fe3-bcd4-408796e32977" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/stayconnected_tmobile_090524.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="723" loading="lazy" />Stay safe and calm — T-Mobile’s on your side

T-Mobile’s network engineers prepare for weather conditions throughout the year so they can restore service if needed as soon as possible. But hazardous conditions may cause delays. Downed trees, power outages and other obstacles can hinder restoration efforts. Engineers will make repairs as soon as it’s safe to do so.

T-Mobile’s teams also constantly upgrade towers, network switches, data centers and other critical sites nationwide to make them more reliable, more resilient and better able to withstand disasters across big cities, rural areas and everywhere in between.

This disaster season, T-Mobile has been supporting customers and first responders around the country after hurricane <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/hurricane-beryl" target="_blank">Beryl</a>, hurricane <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/t-mobile-gears-up-for-hurricane-debby" target="_blank">Debby</a> and tropical storm <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/tropical-storm-ernesto" target="_blank">Ernesto</a>. T-Mobile offered Wi-Fi, power, device charging, charging supplies and other services for the community, and supported first responders by supplying Wi-Fi and connectivity for them to access critical applications such as group communication, and patient and asset-tracking platforms.

Amid <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/network/california-and-colorado-wildfires" target="_blank">wildfires in Colorado and California</a> in August, T-Mobile’s network held up well while emergency teams deployed resources to provide first responders and other public safety agencies with critical support. T-Mobile’s Emergency Response teams worked to keep connectivity uninterrupted and public safety agencies and local officials connected.

T-Mobile is continuously <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/un-carrier/t-mobile-ready-to-respond" target="_blank">growing its disaster response capabilities</a> to ensure customers can communicate with loved ones and authorities. Ahead of this year’s disaster season, the Un-carrier has expanded its fleet of network vehicles, hardened its network with permanent backup power solutions, and turned on new 2.5 GHz spectrum to boost critical coverage and capacity for nearly 60 million customers across the country.

T-Mobile is also teaming up with all levels of government, first responder agencies, public utilities, wireless industry partners and others to learn from previous disasters and foster continued collaboration for future response and restoration efforts.

First responders and emergency officials can sign up for <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/business/resources/wireless-priority-service-wps" target="_blank">Wireless Priority Service</a> (WPS) to automatically get priority access and preemption for voice and priority access for data on T-Mobile’s network at no cost. When seconds matter during times of emergency or network congestion, WPS moves critical communications to the front of the line.

This year, T-Mobile introduced the Community Support Advocates Program (CSAP). With this program, employees across the business get fully trained on T-Mobile’s disaster response protocols and can then offer additional support to communities impacted by disasters across the country. CSAP members, which are growing in numbers, were on standby for hurricanes Beryl and Debby just months after the program’s launch.

Don’t wait until an emergency is looming to prepare. Taking key actions now can help you stay safe, informed and connected during a natural disaster, and help you recover in the aftermath.

For more information from T-Mobile on communications and disaster preparedness, check out <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/un-carrier/t-mobile-ready-to-respond" target="_blank">www.t-mobile.com/news/un-carrier/t-mobile-ready-to-respond</a>.

Follow <a href="https://x.com/tmobilenews?s=20" target="_blank">@TMobileNews</a> on X, formerly known as Twitter, to stay up to date with the latest company news.

This National Preparedness Month, here are some tips from T-Mobile that can help you be ready when it matters most.

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