CSOs and American HiTech – Stop the Critical Washing?
Most would agree that CSOs have a mandate, ample goodwill and competencies serving the common good. Likewise, it can be said that CSOs often lack capacity and resources. In this context, many CSOs have built close relationships with powerful private tech companies. These partnerships often come with uneven levels of power and resources. This raises questions about how they work together in practice. Companies often present their support as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
At the same time, this kind of relationship is being discussed more critically. Some argue that it can lead to what is called “ethics” or “critical” washing. Others point out that these partnerships can still bring real benefits. Together, these views highlight the complexity of these relationships. They also raise questions about how they can become more balanced and meaningful.
The question arises whether CSO, closely collaborating with US tech companies, are not, in fact, willing or unwillingly, being used for ethics and critical washing?
The Digital Dialogue event series, jointly produced by the International Civil Society Centre, Berlin, and the Civic Tech Innovation Network, Johannesburg.
