Gen 499 WK2-D2

Instructor: Heather Haffner

August 10, 2018

Importance of Becoming a Global Citizen

Globalization is an integration and interaction process between individuals, organizations, and governments across the world. It is an economic process, which is associated with cultural and social aspects (Steger, 2017). The growth of globalization has been supported by communication technology and transportation and has led to the growth of ideas, cultures and international trade. On the other hand, globalism is any description of the world that involves networks of connections, which reduce the distance between regions and continents. The main difference between these two terms is that globalization is the actual act of connectivity between people and regions in the world while globalism discusses the importance and usefulness of world connectivity by attaching a moral value to the process (Steger, 2017).

Benefits of Global Citizenship

Global citizenship involves accepting cultural diversity, caring, global awareness, and the promotion of sustainability and social justice (Blum, 2016). Technology has allowed people to become global citizens by allowing connectivity between different regions. Global citizenship is important in achieving my personal, academic and career goals. My personal goal is to grow and have an influence in the world. Global citizenship helps me understand different cultures, which is important towards my personal goal. It aids my education goal by giving me the access to different works by different authors across the world thus increasing my understanding. For my professional goals, this concept is important in allowing me to interact with professionals from different regions and learn about their challenges, which will help to grow.

Differences in Theorists Definitions

Different theorists have defined global citizenship differently, and there is no consensus on a universal definition of the concept. The difference in the definition is because the theorists use their disciplinary perspective in the definition. For instance, Golmohamad argues that global citizenship is equal to the world and international citizenship, whereas Haugestad states that global citizenship is about social justice (Reysen & Katzarska-Miller, 2013). The political, developmental, theological and educational disciples influence the different theorists’ definitions. The differences can be supported by the fact that philosophical theorists highlight ethics and morality, while educational theorists might consider global awareness. According to me, global citizenship is about global awareness, social justice, recognition of diversity, having values that allow improved interactions, and being ready to act for making the world a better place.

Important Global Citizenship Outcomes

Valuing diversity and intergroup helping are two important outcomes of global citizenship. Valuing diversity is the appreciation and having an interest in the diverse cultures of the world (Reysen & Katzarska-Miller, 2013). On the other hand, intergroup helping is the spirit of helping others outside your group and is evident through actions such as giving donations to help others globally.

The two outcomes are most important to becoming a global citizen. Global citizenship is all about diversity as different regions have different cultures and way of life. Therefore, for one to be a global citizen, he/she must be ready to learn, understand and appreciate other cultures across the globe (Reysen & Katzarska-Miller, 2013). Valuing diversity is an important part of an individual becoming and maintaining global citizenship. Global citizenship requires the responsibility to act towards ensuring a better world. The spirit of caring is also needed which makes intergroup helping an important outcome in global citizenship. An individual has to be human and have empathy towards others outside his/her group to promote interaction and engagement between different groups thus becoming a global citizen.

Diversity and intergroup helping have helped me develop global citizenship. I always have the urge to learn and understand the different cultures across the world. I also prefer interacting with individuals from the different culture to enhance my understanding and appreciation of these cultures. Through cultural diversity, I am in apposition to interact with different cultures, respect their cultural ways, and understand the differences in cultures (Reysen & Katzarska-Miller, 2013). The intergroup outcome plays in my life through the efforts that I put into helping other people. I have taken part in charity donations to help different people in different regions. I am a volunteering member of different organizations, which helps me offer services to different people across the world. Therefore, the two outcomes are important in developing a global citizen in me.

General Education Courses Influence

The general education courses are important and can help an individual in becoming a global citizen. World religions and introduction to ethics are the two courses that have influenced and assisted my development and helped me become a global citizen. The two courses have assisted me to enhance intergroup helping and to value diversity, which are two of the six global citizenship outcomes.

The introduction to ethics course has taught me right and wrong acts and behaviors, different values, and various ethical issues and positions. Through world religions, I have received a deeper understanding of the different religious beliefs across the world. These courses have played an important role in helping me understand people and comprehend the reasons for their actions and behaviors. Comprehending people’s state, their minds, their beliefs and behaviors are important in becoming a global citizen as it gives people ways to respect, appreciate and relate with each other. The courses have contributed much to my development as a global citizen and in positive interactions with others.

References

Blum, J. (2016). Globalization at a Crossroads. Retrieved from https://fod.infobase.com/OnDemandEmbed.aspx?token=39350&wID=100753&plt=FOD&loid=0&w=640&h=480&fWidth=660&fHeight=530

Reysen, S., & Katzarska-Miller, I. (2013). A model of global citizenship: Antecedents and outcomes. International Journal of Psychology, 48(5), 858-870.

Steger, M. B. (2017). Globalization: A very short introduction (Vol. 86). Oxford University Press.