Corporate philanthropy and corporate social responsibility
Philanthropic activities of corporate foundations, such as Bloomberg and Gates, at the global level but also domestic corporate philanthropies within individual countries, for example the Fundación Grupo México, seem to enjoy elite access to States and international decision-making bodies.
While such engagement certainly falls within the purview of foundations, the concerns surround the corporate philanthropy of some foundations for causes or organizations whose work harms human rights and the environment.
Examples of worrisome interventions include territorial co-optation, manipulation of local communities, corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, in-kind donations to politicians or political campaigns, financing of public works projects, etc.
A classic example of detrimental CSR is the negotiation of a Global Tobacco Treaty (WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control) and how the tobacco industry sought to hinder its progress and interfere with public health policies. The mechanisms employed by the industry to impede the implementation of the Treaty include litigation to intimidate governments, establishing partnerships with governments to promote voluntary regulation, funding government health policies, subverting industry advertising and marketing bans by sponsoring concerts and sporting events, and supporting groups like the International Tobacco Growers’ Association.