On this journey to discovering global
citizenship, I have come to realise that education is the biggest driving
factor behind this notion and is necessary to overcome any problems individuals
may have while trying to become global citizens. Problems include inequality, mass media manipulation
and cross cultural differences that arise from a rapidly expanding world where
travelling between borders is becoming easier.
From my perspective, one of the biggest
issues of becoming global citizens can be summarised by Stromquist “it is clear
that there is an immense disjuncture between the recognition of ideas and their
actual practices regarding global citizenship”1. I think this is a result of a diverse
education system that is affected by what society deems a global citizen and so
the definition of a global citizen will vary across the globe. The environment that consists of mass media,
culture and beliefs heavily influences the perspectives of individual’s
definition of global citizen.
While watching a question and answer show
on ABC, it further highlighted the importance of education in the development
of global citizens. It emphasises the initial perspective of ‘Angry’ Anderson
being against asylum seekers and through his journey of staying in a developing
country, attributes the change in perspective to experiences and starts
developing more empathy and understanding towards these people, which is apart
of the learning process. The link to the video will be provided below2.
Acknowledging the challenges, my proposal
is to come up with a global definition of what makes a global citizen, a
definition that is accepted and taught globally such as the one offered by the
academic Cogan who lists a set of characteristics3. This ensures
that each individual will have the same understanding and can work towards
being a global citizen.
Global Citizens Characteristics3
- The ability to look at and approach problems as a member of a global society;
- The ability to work with others in a cooperative way and take responsibility for one's roles and duties;
- The ability to understand, accept and tolerate culture differences;
- The capacity to thinking a critical and systematic way;
- The willingness to resolve conflict in a nonviolent manner;
- The willingness to change one's style and consumption habits to protect the environment;
- The ability to be sensitive toward and defend human rights;
- The Willingness and ability to participate in politics at local, national and international levels.
1. Stromquist, NS, 2009. Theorising Global
Citizenship: Discourses, Challenges, and Implications for Education.
Interamerican Journal of Education for Democracy, [Online]. 2/1, 6-29. Available
at: http://www.flacsoandes.edu.ec/web/imagesFTP/1266600645.global_citizenship.pdf
[Accessed 23 December 2014].
3.Cogan,J. & Kubow P.(1997).
Multidimensional citizenship: Educational policy for the 21st
century. Tokyo: Sasakawa Peace Foundation
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