About BIG
The Bio-Cybersecurity & International Governance (BIG) Clinic Foundation is a nonprofit, pro bono, public-interest legal and governance clinic dedicated to strengthening access to justice, ethical governance, and legal protection in areas profoundly affected by emerging technologies, digital systems, and cross-border collaboration. As technological innovation accelerates globally, BiG responds to the growing need for principled legal frameworks, ethical oversight, and governance clarity that place human dignity, safety, and accountability at the center of digital and scientific progress.
BiG addresses complex and evolving challenges arising from artificial intelligence, bio-cybersecurity, data-driven decision-making, digital health, cybersecurity, and transnational digital infrastructure. These challenges increasingly intersect with human rights, public safety, humanitarian operations, and international cooperation. The Clinic operates to ensure that innovation and technological advancement are supported by lawful, ethical, and socially responsible governance systems.
Mission & Mandate
BiG exists to uphold human dignity, human security, and the rule of law in an increasingly interconnected and technologically complex global environment. Its mandate is explicitly humanitarian, educational, and non-commercial. The Clinic focuses on advancing ethical AI governance, bio-cybersecurity, digital safety, data protection, privacy, and international regulatory alignment, particularly where gaps in legal understanding or governance capacity may expose individuals or institutions to harm.
Rather than providing litigation or commercial legal services, BiG advances public-interest outcomes through the development and dissemination of legal information, governance frameworks, policy guidance, compliance tools, and ethical risk-mitigation resources. These services are designed to support institutions, educators, innovators, nonprofit organizations, researchers, and humanitarian initiatives working across jurisdictions and regulatory environments.
Our Ecosystem
BiG operates within an integrated and values-driven governance ecosystem that ensures ethical oversight, accountability, and global coordination:
- Universal Humanity Foundation (UHF) Canada provides humanitarian governance, mission alignment, and institutional oversight, ensuring that BiG’s work remains anchored in public-interest and peace-building principles.
- UHF Global Institute (UGI) Canada supports global partnership coordination, governance alignment, and compliance frameworks across educational, professional, and international initiatives.
- UHF Global Affiliated Partnership (UGAP™) serves as an international collaboration and capacity-building ecosystem, enabling ethical cross-border cooperation and shared-impact initiatives.
Through this ecosystem, BiG is able to engage globally while maintaining independence, transparency, and respect for jurisdictional authority.
Leadership & Governance
BiG operates under a structured governance framework that includes a Board, specialized advisory committees, and a Chief Global Legal Advisor. Governance structures are supported by clear accountability mechanisms, conflict-of-interest safeguards, ethical review processes, and periodic governance assessments. These measures ensure institutional independence, professional integrity, and alignment with internationally recognized public-interest standards.
BiG does not operate as a commercial law firm, does not provide fee-based legal services, and does not engage in lobbying, advocacy campaigns, or marketing activities. All work is conducted on a pro bono, educational, and public-interest basis, consistent with applicable professional and regulatory obligations.
