Being a global citizen means different things to different people. Here’s a chance to add your take.
Photo: gadl
It’s a tough day for travelers who like to explore outside of “acceptable” countries, as Iran charged the three American backpackers detained in July with espionage. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with them.
So I was glad to come across something a bit positive happening in the world.
Project Explorer, who provides free cultural education programming for kids and teens, is posing the question, “What does it mean to be a global citizen?” They are asking that people make and upload a video answering this question with their own thoughts or experiences.
So far, the likes of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Russell Simmons, and Ziggy Marley have posted their answers. Also, many other lesser known – but just as important activists – such as Scott Harrison of charity: water and John and Charles of…well, Chelsea, add their two cents on “possibility and action” and the importance “being nice.”
Find more videos like this on ProjectExplorer.org’s Good Global Citizen
Now comes your turn. We’re challenging BNT readers to make a video and add their own take on what it means to be a global citizen.
Where To Go For Answers
Need some inspiration? Beginning with desire in the form of a journal entry or a video can ultimately lead us to answers. As Valerie Ng explained in her article, Why I Disobeyed My Family and Traveled the World:
I documented my grand plans for international travel in a Spanish essay in high school…[after traveling abroad] it became increasingly apparent that the world was a fascinating place, and I wanted to acquaint myself with the myriad of cultures inhabiting the earth.
Or, look no further than Daniel Harbecke’s piece, How Travel Will Save The World. In it, he explains, “The belief that humanity is encompassed within a single community is called cosmopolitanism…[it] has come to mean “worldly” or “sophisticated,” but in the original sense meant a universal love for all people that rejects borders.”
And, if you have kids in tow, or plan having them in the future and hope to make them a global citizen, check out Karen Banes’ piece, The Educational Value of Long Term Travel with Kids. In it, she notes:
Kids on the road learn naturally. They learn about physical and human geography, world history, religion (although not just the dominant one in their country of birth), wildlife, nature, environmental issues, campcraft, cooking, art and science. They also learn manners, tolerance, and respect for other cultures. They learn to make friends, and say goodbye.
After you make the video and upload it to Project Explorer site, be sure to post the link in the comments section below.
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2 Comments... join the discussion!
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It seems that the world wasnt very free in past times, and totally closed nowdays !
Just imagine – before 1-World War, nobody neded international passports or even ordinary passports and visas to cross borders ! Imagine !
Every criminal group member or diplomat have possibility to make any kind of visa, but ordinary people, that fond of travel – dont !
I hate the contemporary political liers system.
As for me – I have to carry russian passport, although Im not russian !
I have lot of problems in getting visas !in capital of damb russia !
WHY ? why notrussians have to suffer for crasy Russia policy ?It is declared that ANYONE have the right to travel and live were they want to.
But what are the mechanics of realisation for those declarations ???
As for me – I want to live in my own country – that is Caucasus.
But international organisations opinion wont help me to get back my country.
So – I dont live in my own country, I cant travel freely, I cant move from country that I dont like and that is NOT mine….And Im not refugee – I simply DISLIKE greatly that foreign-for-me country like Russia !
So – what to do then !?
Anyone could give answers !?WORLD !!! you wont help me to obtain my Fatherland Country back.
So, Please provide me some kind of INTERNATIONAL LEGAL PASSPORT !
So that I could travel and wont bother (our culture dont approve it) your countries and nations with my presence for a long time.↵
