GEN 499

6

Importance of Becoming a Global Citizen

Jasmine Jones

GEN 499: General Education Capstone

Instructor: Joshua Truitt

November 15, 2021

Importance of Becoming a Global Citizen

Global citizenship involves encouraging individuals to develop skills and knowledge that are crucial in engaging with the world. Global citizenship has two assumptions: people identify themselves with the world community, and the community identifies values and practices (Dower & Williams, 2003). Individuals identify themselves in communities and groups. The shared identity may be based on social, economic, religious, and political needs. Individuals consider themselves as global citizens due to their global engagement. The global identity has been made possible by many factors such as transportation, information, and communication technologies. This paper describes the importance of global citizenship.

The distinction between globalism and globalization

After viewing the video and reading the article, globalism is based on the belief that crossing national borders should not be restricted. On the other hand, globalization is the exchange of people, goods, and information across borders. Globalization is achieved by keeping the national economies open and ensuring liberalization. According to Reysen and Katzarska-Miller (2013), global citizenship involves embracing cultural diversity and ensuring social justice. While the ideology of globalism is used as a foundation of globalization, globalism is interconnected with regions and people worldwide.

The video “globalization at a crossroads” describes interlinks globalization to political, economic, environmental, communicational, and social factors. It’s also connected with private and public markets in the world. Globalism, on the other hand, places the world's interests beyond the nation’s interests. Therefore, it can be described as a socio-economic system characterized by free trade and access to markets. Globalism is based on unrestricted borders, while globalization spreads technology and product across nations (Reysen & Katzarska-Miller, 2013).

Benefits of being a global citizen

Global citizenship helps understand identity and emotions and integrate the emotion in a way that is understandable to an individual (Dower & Williams, 2003). Being a global citizen will help me suppress my values, emotions, and beliefs while dealing with others. Therefore, I won’t impose my cultural values and perception on others. Being a global citizen in advanced technology is beneficial to my success, and it may help me meet my personal, academic, and professional goals.

First, I will be able to connect and learn more from other people. Therefore, it will help me meet my goals by improving my multicultural skills. The skills will help me adapt to any work environment around the world. I will also be able to value other people’s differences and also deal with diverse individuals. While addressing issues whether, in my professional or academic life, I’ll be able to think internationally. This will help me develop possible solutions in the world and choose the best solution to solve the problems.

Disagreement between theorists on the definition of global citizenship

After reading Reysen and Katzarska-Miller's (2013) article, global citizenship can be described as awareness, sustainability, and promoting social justice. In global citizenship, valuing diversity is essential in diverse cultures around the world.

There are different definitions of global citizenship. This is a major reason that causes disagreements between theorists. Theorists develop the definition of global citizenship based on their disciplines and perspectives (Dower & Williams, 2003). Education theorists focus on global awareness when defining global citizenship. On the other hand, philosophical theorists define based on ethics and morals. However, different definitions include global awareness. Global awareness is the interconnectedness with others. Although there are disagreements, the definitions are integrated.

Outcomes of global citizenship

Social justice

Social justice is essential when it comes to being a global citizen since it describes the importance of fair treatment and equitability. Therefore, social justice leads to respect, tolerance, and understanding (Dower & Williams, 2003). 

Valuing diversity

Valuing diversity is important in becoming a global citizen since it is a person's social identity, and it is crucial in building an inclusive environment. According to Reysen and Katzarska-Miller (2013), being a global citizen means understanding and appreciating cultural diversity and other people’s cultures.

Personal examples or events

Social justice

The second example I was a team leader in a school group. As a leader, I was required to treat all members equally. However, this was a challenge since some team members were better than the others. I had to learn the importance of fair treatment and also treat all members equally.

Valuing diversity

The first example is when I was in a team that had people from different diversities. I realized the difficulties of interacting with people from different cultures. Due to challenges such as language barriers, I had to learn more about other cultures and understand them. This helps me connect with the team members and work with them successfully.

General education courses

The first course is Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility. It has helped me understand what's right and just, and it has helped me understand and embrace social justice.

The second course is Introduction to literature. It has helped me understand and accept other people’s cultures, and I have understood the value of diversity, one of the global citizenship outcomes.

Conclusion

Global citizenship is a topic that has attracted theorists from different disciplines. Since the world is turning global, individuals should become global citizens. Through general education courses, I have managed to take a step to become a global citizen.

References

Dower, N., & Williams, J. (2003). An introduction to global citizenship (Vol. 7, pp. 21-29). Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Globalization at 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.