There has been a lot of talk lately about global citizenship, but have you ever thought about what it is and why it is so important? For Plan Zero, it is a fundamental concept when it comes to developing educational paths and it perfectly defines what we call #Changemakers. For this reason, we want to share this text with you, taken and adapted from What is Global Citizenship and Why is it Important?
Do you remember when you were in high school and had the chance to participate in a language exchange program, and instead you spent the week riding your bike along the paths in your neighborhood and playing video games? You may not have been able to enjoy that experience due to lack of resources or interest, but when your classmates came back, it seemed like they had learned more than just a language. They had learned a new way of living, acting, and being.
Why were these cultural experiences so important? And what might have been the beginnings of a Global Citizenship education?
The lessons learned by traveling abroad, immersing oneself in other cultures, trying to communicate and adapt within a new group of people represent steps and efforts toward nothing less than a life change: learning a new set of skills, a new ability to adapt to unfamiliar situations, and even questioning one’s own reality. This is the beginning of cultural awareness. that forms global citizens.
The aim of Global Citizenship is none other than “to foster respect for all people, create a sense of belonging to a common humanity and help students become responsible and active citizens of the world.” UN
In her essay “Global Citizenship: What Are We Talking About and Why Does It Matter?” Dr. Madeleine F. Green writes: “National citizenship is a coincidence of birth; global citizenship is different. It is a voluntary decision.”
What does it mean to be a Global Citizen?
- feel cultural empathy
- Be passionate about connecting with people from different backgrounds
- be adaptable to different experiences and environments
- appreciate and respect diversity.
And yes, learning about other cultures from a distance is an excellent recipe for becoming Global Citizens, but we can go one step further. Really immersing ourselves in new experiences, languages, traditions and cultures from other parts of the world is what will really help us achieve this.
And so the big question is, how do you access opportunities that promote this learning and lead to this lifestyle? In many conversations like this, the word “travel” seems to be repeated as the key answer, and we’re not surprised.
Global Citizenship gives us the opportunity to explore different experiences, ideologies and cultures while recognizing the uniqueness and beauty of our own culture.
Simply put, if you want to gain a new perspective, you have to experience something from a different point of view, stepping outside your usual environment to perceive the world differently.
Why is it important to be a global citizen?
According to UNESCO, Global Citizenship “aims to instill in students the values, attitudes and behaviours that underpin responsible global citizenship: creativity, innovation and commitment to peace, human rights and sustainable development.”
And so, little by little, we begin to understand and recognize our place in the world around us. For example, by identifying our privileges, understanding our experiences, and being aware of how our actions can affect world events. In this way, we gradually transform ourselves into Global Citizens.
Being a Global Citizen is very powerful, because a globally-minded person takes political, social, environmental and economic actions that will impact communities on a global scale. Therefore, when you are a Global Citizen, you live with the determination to contribute to the collective concerns of the world, such as climate change and racism.
Ready to commit to this challenge for your growth?
Global citizenship is a way of life, a process of thinking from a global perspective, but also a tool to gain more freedom. Others believe it is the fullest way to live: the openness to embrace what the world has to offer, and the willingness to sacrifice to protect it.
At Plan Zero we create educational experiences abroad that seek to align studies with this way of seeing the world. Studying abroad is the path to a greater goal: becoming a #changemaker and being part of the changes that the planet and society need. Are you in?
Contact us without obligation and we will help you find the perfect route for you.
