Ed Rekosh: The Business Case for Civil Society
Ed Rekosh of Rights CoLab joins us on Rule of Law Talk to break down the roles that businesses and civil society organizations play in building a broad-based rule of law culture in society.
Rule of law is often considered the province of governments, judges, and lawyers. But doctors, engineers, teachers, artists, businesspeople, and ordinary citizens are all stakeholders and critical players in upholding human rights. In working to uphold human rights, businesses often collaborate with community groups, non-profit organizations, think tanks, trade and professional associations, and unions—broadly referred to as Civil Society Organizations, or CSOs. These organizations advocate for better government, clearer and more effective laws and regulations and their enforcement, protection for civil liberties, checks on corruption, and accountable government.
Ed Rekosh is a longtime human rights activist and innovator, and Co-Founder of the human rights organization, Rights CoLab. A new report from Rights CoLab, “The Business Case for Civil Society,” explains the role that civil society organizations play in upholding the rule of law and human rights—and argues that it is in the best interest of businesses to take action in support of civil society, especially when civil society is under pressure.
