Global Citizenship: Challenging and Essential

As the world has become more connected through trade, education, and media, the need for us to become “global citizens” has increased exponentially. The term global citizens refers to the concept of someone who feels responsible for more than just their country; a global citizen values their spot in the world not because it gives them the right to vote or any other privileges, it simply acknowledges their place in the world.  Because people have become more connected with others around the world, it is necessary that we respect other cultures for their own values. We must respect and accept differences, but also have the strength and class to advocate for behaviors that are unacceptable.

If the citizens of Earth can’t learn to get along and accept the undeniable ties that keep us together, than we will ultimately destroy our own species. Our organism is so interconnected that killing other parts of our earth community actually harms us. As the times grows closer that humans either choose to accept, or are forced to accept that our lifestyle now will eventually destroy us, we must learn to work together. Some parts of the world are the only areas that will have access to certain resources like food or water. Unless we as a human race choose to regress back to days when civilizations chose to not interact we will have to learn to work together. The article argues that education is one route to the necessary global citizenship, and I agree.

I believe that in many ways I am not a global citizen. The life of an average person is decidedly negative in their impact on the world. Unless someone is acting actively positive, their neutrality only continues to contribute to the problem. I was raised in a community and a society that fosters fear of other people in many ways, and encourages staying comfortable in our lives. I believe that within that comfort that I accept, I am working (subconsciously) against global citizenship. In some ways, it seems as though it is an uphill battle to be a global citizenship in these times.