The Future of CSOs

The Future of CSOs:

The Many Faces of CSR Activism

Article by Wayne Visser

The third principle of Transformative CSR, or CSR 2.0, is responsiveness. Some of the most important players in the responsiveness game – especially through cross-sector partnerships – are civil society organisations (CSOs, which I prefer rather than the term NGOs).

Reflecting on how this sector is changing in the face of increased calls for responsiveness, I have distinguished 10 ‘Paths to the Future’ for CSR activism. I believe that CSOs acting in the CSR space will increasingly be:

Platforms for transparency – Undertaking investigative exposes & hosting disclosure forums;
Brokers of volunteerism – Providing project opportunities for employee volunteers;
Champions of CSR – Raising awareness and increasing public pressure for CSR;
Advisors of business – Offering consulting services to business on responsibility;
Agents of government – Working with or on behalf of regulatory authorities;
Reformers of policy – Pressuring for government policy reforms to incentivise CSR;
Makers of standards – Developing voluntary standards & inviting business compliance;
Channels for taxes Receiving and deploying specially earmarked tax revenues;
Partners in solutions – Partnering with business/government to tackle specific issues; and
Catalysts for creativity – Creating social enterprises & supporting social entrepreneurs.

Let’s explore these ‘future faces’ of CSR activism in a little more detail below, drawing on examples from around the world of CSOs emerging roles …

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Cite this article

Visser, W. (2011) The Future of CSOs: The Many Faces of CSR Activism, CSR International Inspiration Series, No. 10