Global citizenship - How can we achieve it?

Benjamin Loh

Attaining global citizenship - a phrase that seems easy to understand, but yet hard to achieve.
What exactly is global citizenship and how can we achieve it?

Global citizenship empowers individual human beings to participate in decisions concerning their lives, including the political, economic, social, cultural and environmental conditions in which they live. It includes the right to vote, to express opinions and associate with others, and to enjoy a decent and dignified quality of life. It is expressed through engagement in the various communities of which the individual is a part, at the local, national and global level. And it includes the right to challenge authority and existing power structures-to think, argue and act-with the intent of changing the world.

The world is quickly becoming more and more integrated. Technology, communication, transport and trade have advanced so quickly that none of us can escape the fact that we will one day become a global citizen. They have equipped us with the ability to interact with the rest of the world, no matter where we are. Slowly but surely, we are becoming global citizens.

As a global citizen, we have to respect others no matter where they are from. Because for us to call ourselves a global citizen, we have to integrate ourselves in the vast world. Regardless of any differences in religion, culture or race, a common ground has to be achieved. There must be equality among everyone and active participation in issues that may concern the world.

However, for the majority of the world to become global citizens, it might have to take a long time. So how can we speed up this process? The answer lies in youths.

In every generation, youths hold a secret to success.

Youths know of no hesitation; youths know no retreat; youths know no fear. As Daisaku Ikeda puts it," the power of youth will overcome and surmount whatever steep mountains, whatever barriers it encounters, never ceasing to advance single-mindedly."

As youths, they should be concerned about the future because they will have to spend the rest of their lives there. Youths should see the world in a bigger picture, a picture where they will have a say in it.

Firstly, they can participate in forums where their future will be discussed. Forums tapping the advantages of the Internet can help bring students and youths from many countries together to discuss issues concerning the world. Through this, youths can also understand the world they are living in better. To be a global citizen, one has to argue and act - with the intent of changing the world.

Also, youths can take time off their schedules to travel the world, to see what other countries are all about. Who knows after some time, differences between countries can be reduced to the point where there will be "invisible borders". Many have argued that global citizenship is a world without borders and that is why youths have the power to achieve this.

Youths should also try to help other countries in need. They have the energy and the desire to change things for the better. Youths should set their sights on eradicating poverty, to make the world a place where everyone has equal opportunities to live in. Engaging in community work can bring many people from around the world together for a purpose. To understand the world, that is what is required to be a global citizen.

Youths can bring about more global citizens by integrating the world even more.
That can be a way we achieve global citizenship.

And to youths: be the change you want to see in the world.

*your comments are greatly appreciated =)