What is "bluewash"

n. A wash of blue paint or glaze. vb. 1 To use a blue paint or glaze. 2 (context business politics English) To tout a business or organization's commitment to social responsibility, and to use this perception for public relations and economic gain; to present a humanitarian front in this manner.

Bluewash is any partnership between the United Nations and a corporation that has agreed to abide by the United Nations Global Compact. The compact outlines ten principles that promote environmentally sustainable practices, fair labor practices (including access to trade unions, abolition of slave, child labor), human rights, and fighting corruption. The term itself is often considered derogatory, particularly given the problems of these types of partnerships; since there are no screening or enforcement mechanisms to ensure that the corporation adheres to the ten principles, critics argue that such partnerships are merely public relations ploys designed to improve corporate images.