Press Release
Published on October 6, 2022
NEW YORK — Human Rights First has selected Accenture to receive the inaugural Human Rights First Award for Exceptional Corporate Partnership for the company’s commitment to the life-changing work of welcoming Afghans seeking asylum to the United States. The award will be presented at Human Rights First’s annual in-person celebration dinner on October 24 in New York City.
“Accenture is proud to be recognized as an exceptional corporate partner by Human Rights First, a leading non-profit committed to protecting freedom and promoting equality,” said Joel Unruch, general counsel and corporate secretary, Accenture. “With 80,000 Afghans resettling across the U.S. and trying to establish their legal status, we are pleased to count ourselves among the many companies and organizations working hard to provide newcomers with the legal assistance they need.”
Accenture has served as an active partner in the Welcome Legal Alliance, a Welcome.US initiative co-led by Human Rights First that mobilizes the nation’s lawyers to ensure that Afghans new to the United States have access to critical pro bono legal services. Accenture’s legal professionals and non-lawyer volunteers have provided assistance to more than 100 Afghan refugees, including helping to determine their eligibility for immigration benefits; collaborating with corporate and law firm partners to provide full-scope representation for asylum matters; and helping prepare applications for permanent residence at legal clinics.
“Accenture has been a tremendous corporate partner of Human Rights First’s Project: Afghan Legal Assistance (PALA) and a real leader in the corporate community’s effort to provide legal representation to Afghans in need of assistance,” said Jenna Gilbert, Director of Refugee Representation at Human Rights First. “Our PALA team and our clients are forever grateful for the work Accenture has done to serve Afghan refugees.”
Accenture is also assisting Afghan asylum seekers with resettlement efforts, including connecting them with critical goods and services and employment opportunities, as well as encouraging employees and their families across the U.S. to volunteer.
In 2019, under Mr. Unruch’s leadership, Accenture launched Legal Access, a global pro bono program for the company’s more than 3,000 legal professionals across nearly 50 countries. Legal Access volunteers have contributed nearly 5,000 pro bono hours across 110 projects across the globe, representing a wide range of their experiences and passions.
