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Importance of Becoming a Global Citizen

Globalism is a term through which the very idea of globalization is articulated,
communicated, made acceptable, discussed, in short, founded for analysis and to be reflected on
(Papastephanou, 2005). It seeks to explain the universe, which is characterized by networks of
connections that extend between many continents. It makes seeks to explain how the modern
world is interconnected and highlight patterns that form these connections. On the other hand,
globalization is a term used to denote the “indigenization, putting together of global systems and
hybridization of various local symbols” (Papastephanou, 2005). It is the increase or decrease of
globalism and focuses on the speed and dynamism of these forces.
A global citizen is a person who is cognizant, caring, and one who appreciates cultural
diversity, while at the same time ensuring that sustainability and social justice are upheld
(Reysen & Katzarska-Miller, 2013). A global citizen is one who feels responsible to engage in
actions that are geared towards making the universe better. It is beneficial as it helps an
individual to value diversity. Through advanced technology, a global citizen is connected to the
rest of the world, one is able to bridge the geographical distance, without necessarily having to
travel many miles to meet people from other different continents. Through the use of
technological devices and increased internet usage, global citizens are advancing their scope,
learning more about other cultures, and having a social network of people from different cultural
backgrounds. By so doing, more and more people continue becoming global citizens as their
scope and knowledge of other people’s cultures is widened. The benefit of being a global citizen
is that one does not have to travel, using the internet necessarily, people deepen their
understanding of a group’s culture and background.

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Theorists have disagreed about the definition of global citizenship because different
synonyms have been used to describe this term, and different disciplinary perspectives have been
applied by different theorists in their attempt the define the term. Besides, there have been a
variety of labels that have been used to define global citizenship. Some of these terms include
universal, postnational, world, and transnational citizenship (Reysen & Katzarska-Miller, 2013).
There are theorists who use these words interchangeably, and there are those who make clear
distinctions between them. such disparities make it even harder for theorists to agree on one
inclusive definition of global citizenship. I think that global citizenship denotes a way of life, and
an idea that an individual’s identity goes beyond political and geographical borders, and the
recognition of the world is an interconnected and complex web of relationships and
interdependencies.
Valuing diversity is one of the six outcomes of global citizenship that I find important in
becoming a global citizen. Valuing diversity is being interested in and appreciating diverse
cultures in every part of the universe. In becoming a global citizen, one must learn to live with
others without judging them based on their way of life or cultural practices. It entails interacting
freely with people, letting them be without wanting them to behave in a way that is popular with
a person’s culture. The interactions between a global citizen and other people are founded on the
principle of acceptance and respect for other people’s way of life and opinions. The outcome of
valuing diversity is important for a global citizen because it ensures that one appreciates different
origins. The second outcome of global citizenship is intergroup helping, which entails extending
aid to others who are outside a person’s group. It is done mostly through making donations,
volunteering locally, and helping other people globally through working with transnational
organizations. This outcome is more important compared to the other four because it goes hand

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in hand with valuing diversity. It is important to appreciate other people’s way of life, but
helping them makes sense. These two outcomes go hand in hand and they complement each
other. Helping someone from a different group than your own makes them feel appreciated and
loved. Thus, global citizenship is more about valuing diversity and intergroup helping, ten other
outcomes follow.
I am a basketball coach, and my team comprises of players from all walks of life. I do not
just coach players whose cultural background is similar to mine. I feel that I demonstrate global
citizenship by helping players who are from outside my group. We work together despite our
cultural differences, respect each other, and assist each other. When I formed the basketball team
and made a decision to coach players who were committed to the game, I did not have the idea of
global citizenship in mind. However, now that I understand what being a global citizen entails, I
am glad I took this noble course. I enjoy the game, and my team of players enjoys the game as
well. Cultural backgrounds do not affect our interactions as we are all united by the game.
One of the general education courses that have influenced me to become a global citizen
is GEN 102: Digital Literacy for Life and The Workplace. This course taught me the importance
of being digitally competent as this enlightens me on other people’s ways of life. by becoming a
digital person, I am able to connect with more people from all over the world, and I am able to
use a variety of digital tools to connect with more people. further, at the workplace, I am able to
interact better with colleagues because as a global citizen, I value diversity and also intergroup
helping. The second general education course that has influenced me into becoming a global
citizen is GEN 103: Information Literacy. The course focused on being knowledgeable and
acquiring the necessary information. This is a key element of a global citizen as I am able to
understand other people’s cultures and interact with them without wanting them to behave in a

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particular way that is popular with my cultural practices. As a global citizen, the information
acquired from GEN 102 and GEN 103 is instrumental to my interactions with colleagues, as well
as with students in the classroom. Information literacy ensures that I have the necessary
knowledge, I understand that learners and everyone I interact with is diverse, and appreciating
the existing differences. Overall, the two general education courses have shaped my journey into
being a global citizen and greatly impacted my professional development.

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References

Papastephanou, M. (2005). Globalisation, globalism, and cosmopolitanism as an educational
ideal. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 37(4), 533-551.
Reysen, S., & Katzarska-Miller, I. (2013). A model of global citizenship: Antecedents and
outcomes. International Journal of Psychology, 48(5), 858-870.