What is global citizenship?
Global citizenship means seeing yourself as a member of the world community. Global citizens recognize that their choices affect people and places far away, and they take responsibility for helping solve shared problems.
Global citizenship does not replace being a citizen of Canada, the United States or anywhere else. It adds another layer: you belong to your local community, your country and the planet.
Why the world is interdependent
Interdependence means countries and people rely on each other. Consider:
- Trade: your phone may be designed in one country, use minerals from several others and be assembled in yet another.
- Environment: greenhouse gases from any country affect the global climate; rivers and air pollution cross borders.
- Health: diseases spread quickly through global travel, as COVID-19 showed in 2020.
- Migration: people move for work, safety and family, linking communities around the world.
- Information: ideas, news and culture spread instantly online.
Because problems cross borders, solutions often must too.
International cooperation
The United Nations
The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945, after the Second World War, to maintain peace and promote cooperation. Nearly every country in the world is a member.
| UN body | Role |
|---|---|
| General Assembly | every member state has one vote; discusses global issues |
| Security Council | responsible for peace and security; five permanent members (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States) have a veto |
| International Court of Justice | settles legal disputes between countries |
| Agencies (UNICEF, WHO, UNHCR, WFP and others) | children, health, refugees, food aid |
Other forms of cooperation
- Alliances such as NATO (security)
- Trade organizations such as the World Trade Organization
- Regional groups such as the European Union, the African Union and the Organization of American States
- Groups of major economies such as the G7 and G20
- Treaties such as the Paris Agreement on climate change (2015)
Countries working together like this is called multilateralism.
The Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member countries adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to reach by 2030. They include:
- no poverty and zero hunger
- good health, quality education and gender equality
- clean water, clean energy and climate action
- reduced inequality, peace and strong institutions
The SDGs give governments, businesses, schools and individuals a shared framework for action.
Tensions and debates
Global cooperation is not simple.
- Sovereignty: each country has the authority to govern itself. Some people worry international agreements limit a nation’s right to make its own decisions.
- Power imbalances: wealthy and powerful countries often have more influence. The Security Council veto is frequently criticized.
- Enforcement: international agreements can be hard to enforce.
- Globalization’s effects: trade can create wealth and jobs but can also move jobs away or harm local cultures and environments.
Informed global citizens weigh these perspectives rather than assuming cooperation is always simple or always bad.
Non-state actors
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a non-profit group independent of government. NGOs such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Doctors Without Borders and Amnesty International provide aid, monitor human rights and advocate for change. Businesses, faith groups, universities and individuals also shape global issues.
Acting as a global citizen
- Learn about global issues from diverse, reliable sources, including voices from the places affected.
- Consume thoughtfully: consider where products come from and how they’re made.
- Reduce your footprint: energy, transportation and waste choices add up.
- Support organizations working on issues you care about.
- Advocate: ask leaders to support international cooperation and aid.
- Connect: build friendships across cultures, respectfully and with curiosity.
Avoid "saviour" thinking. Effective global citizenship listens to and partners with communities rather than deciding for them.
Try it yourself
- Trace the global journey of one item you own. How many countries were involved?
- Choose one SDG. Research progress toward it and propose one local action.
- Debate: "International agreements should be able to override national laws on climate."
- Evaluate an NGO: What is its mission? How is it funded? How does it measure results?
Quick recap
- Global citizens see themselves as members of the world community.
- Interdependence means countries rely on each other.
- The UN, alliances, trade groups and treaties support multilateral cooperation.
- The SDGs set shared goals for 2030.
- Sovereignty, power imbalances and enforcement create real tensions.