Identify & Get Informed

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has" - Margaret Mead

When you think about the kind of person you are, do you tend to “think globally and act locally”? If yes, you might also think of yourself as a global citizen. Despite the mass global appeal of being a ‘citizen of the world’ some have questioned what it really means to be a global citizen? According to Oxfam International, global citizenship is the idea that we are all citizens of the globe, and therefore we are all equally responsible for what happens on, and to our world. Thus, every global citizen has a duty to address issues of social injustice, inequality and... (more)

Identify & Get Informed

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has" - Margaret Mead

When you think about the kind of person you are, do you tend to “think globally and act locally”? If yes, you might also think of yourself as a global citizen. Despite the mass global appeal of being a ‘citizen of the world’ some have questioned what it really means to be a global citizen? According to Oxfam International, global citizenship is the idea that we are all citizens of the globe, and therefore we are all equally responsible for what happens on, and to our world. Thus, every global citizen has a duty to address issues of social injustice, inequality and environmental degradation. While there remains to be no formal process to becoming a global citizen, holding citizenship status on our globe is something we all have a right to, yet must aspire to becoming, through the everyday choices and actions we make that directly impact the world around us. The role of a global citizen also demands of us to be open to diverse perspectives, and to actively participate in global debates to better the world we live in.

Several organizations have made global citizenship (or “Glocalization as it is sometimes called) the core of their organizational values; however how inclusive and realistic this goal actually is, is largely unknown. For example, many of these organizations “unintentionally” limit access to some global communities with high membership fees, no ‘on the ground’ opportunities for people without internet access, or with outreach efforts that exclusively target elite members of a country rather than all members.

To learn more about the Global Issues’ Guide-to-Action model used for this issue click here !

Lead & Get Others Involved

Nico Lustig considers herself a “global citizen”. She participated in an internship in Thailand, through an international organization to find out what it really means to be citizen of the world. Through her internship she learned community organizing and other skills, which she used to organize a student conference pertaining to a diversity of environmental issues. Furthermore, she taught in Thailand, educating communities on sustainable development, with the resources which were available to that community, making it practical and attainable. She also led several other campaigns, such as a fair trade rice campaign. At present, she leads workshops in her own community to further create awareness around various global issues.

If you have lead others to get involved in making an impact on the issue of Global Citizenship or any other global issue, let the rest of the TakingITGlobal (TIG) community know by writing your own TIG member's story and inspire others to create change just like you!"

Get Connected

"Now that you're inspired to lead others on this global issue click on the web links below to learn more about how you can get involved with this issue."


CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation is an international alliance to nurture the foundation, growth and protection of citizen action throughout the world

Global Citizens Network works to promote peace, justice and tolerance through cross-cultural understanding and global cooperation. Taking It Global’s group to discuss ideas of Global Citizenship in cyber space!

The Movement for Global Citizenship is a collaborative of youth and their adult allies seeking to deliberate on global issues in hopes of promoting a sustainable future.

Plan & Get Moving

So how are you going to share this global issue with others?

Here’s what you can do on TIG:

• Create a petition against global inequality, poverty or any other global issue or make a commitment to be a more active Global Citizen
• Start a TIG group or a project dedicated to informing and empowering young people in your community and around the world about Global Citizenship
• If you’re not sure how to start a conversation around this issue, connect with other TIG members on our discussion boards.
• Check out TIG’s Action Guides to learn how to make the action you want to take on this global issue a reality.

Here’s what else you can do:

• Educate others on the reality of environmental degradation, poverty, world inequality and other related global issues
• Inform your friends, family and community on being an active global citizen
• Join an organization (online or offline) that involves youth in engaging with global citizenship
  
• Think globally, act locally!

This is just the beginning, there is a world of opportunities for you to plan and get moving on. So what are you waiting for and get started today!

Have a Lasting Impact

Remember, learning about a new global issue is only the first step to developing the skills you need to have a lasting impact. So let the rest of TIG know what kind of change you want to see with the issue of Global Citizenship by joining us in one of our online discussions described below.
Global Environmental Issues: How To Take Action

How to Improve the Rich-Poor Gap

Universal Human Rights? Do They Exist?

Is World Peace Attainable?

Extras

Click on the following links to find out more about Global Citizenship.

Cool planet is a fun interactive place where you can put your global citizenship skills into practice and have a lot of fun in the process

Play Lost on the Citizen Ship to test out your global co-operation skills

. Visit Kenya (virtually) and learn how be a global citizen by first making a positive impact on your local community

. Brainstorming on preventing Global Warming


References


Engage: Education -Global- Action. Web Address: http://www.engagetheworld.org/index.html.

Global Citizenship Web Address: http://www.globalcitizenship.com/

Civicus: World Alliance for Citizen Participation. Web Address: http://civicus.org/


Glossary

Glocalization = A fusion of the terms globalization and localization. By definition, the term “glocal” refers to the individual, group, division, unit, organisation, and community which is willing and able to “think globally and act locally.” (Wikipedia)


Have something more to add to what we’ve discussed above, then check out this global issue’s wiki page to have your say!