Globalization implies integration between national and international economies with the help of the global network of transport, communication, and trade. With the rapid evolution of these enabling global network factors, the world seems to become more interconnected. It is because of this faster rate of globalization that the role of every citizen needs to be defined as the community becomes dynamic. It is in this context that the issue of becoming a global citizen comes in a matter of discussion. Often, a global citizen identifies himself to be part and parcel of the dynamic community that is growing. A global citizen would act as a focused person towards the building of the values and community practices. Thus, becoming a global citizen is essential in the development of empathy and cultural awareness, preservation of the planet where people live, and helps someone thrive in an increasingly dynamic community.

A good number of people tend to imagine that both globalism and globalization are terms used to define similar phenomenon. However, the truth of the matter is that the two have a clear distinction. In its perspective, globalism explains and describes in a limited form a world that is interconnected with multiple networks that extend along distances into various continents. In other words, globalism is more concerned with understanding the modern world interconnections and the underlying patterns. This entirely contradicts globalization which examines degree at which globalism declines or increases. Much of the focus in globalization is on the speed, dynamism, and forces behind the changes that occur in the modern world.

The multiple changes that seem to be causing people to become global citizens can be extensively be attributed to rapid technological improvements. It then means that global citizens continue to operate in the world of technology as this seems to have allowed them to achieve both personal, academic, and professional goals. Naturally, people across the globe are different regarding their background experience, cultural practices, and perspectives about life. However, as they come together through globalization, they tend to learn about these differences, accept them and live in unity. By living in the technological world, global citizens as well tend not to be confined to limited media. They increase the media source, have a different view of their own country and others around them and make more interactions that improve their personal lives. They also get more information on institutions such as schools and potential employers. Ultimately, global citizens enroll in schools around the world and others seek jobs in world organizations helping them achieve academic and professional goals.

The concept of global citizenship has been given multiple different definitions by different theorists, and there has never been agreement on the standard definition. On one side, theorists have used terms seemingly synonyms when expressing what global citizenship is and this has sharpened the disagreements. It should, however, be understood that the disagreements emanate from the fact that theorists have a different school of thought based on the fields they study. These fields of study have been the basis upon which the definition of global citizenship has been extracted despite their differences regards facts. Thus, it is the diversity of the disciplines and the perspectives drawn by theorists that cause the confusion. However, it is possible that the correct definition of global citizenship can be developed by considering the themes presented by different theorists. Therefore, in my view, by considering the various themes, global citizenship can be used to examine the valuation of social justice, diversity, sustainable environment, and the feeling of making the world a better place.

In its capacity, global citizenship presents multiple outcomes that are all important for a global citizen. However, I find valuing diversity and intergroup empathy as the most critical outcomes of global citizenship for one to become a global citizen compared to the rest.  Valuing diversity involves understanding and appreciates the diverse cultures of the others across the world. When one becomes a global citizen, he/she will interact with many different people. These people all have different background and cultures that successful interaction means one has to understand and appreciate these cultures first. Intergroup empathy, on the other hand, involves helping other people in groups outside one’s group. Helping can be in the form of finance or food. Practicing intergroup helping is essential that going outside your country one meets different people with different needs and the best way you can fit is by supporting the needy groups.

In my personal life, there are events that I can count that illustrate global citizenship based on valuing diversity and intergroup empathy. During my early life as a child, our neighborhood consists of people from Asian culture so playing with other children become a challenge since I found myself not fit to play their games. With time and after long time observation, I realized the games were good, appreciated them and joined them in their plays. The other incident is when we had a trip with my parents in our neighborhood. I observed children from low-income families and realized they lacked basic needs. When we went back, I bought them clothes and other goods and they were delighted with me.

Two courses, International affairs, and Public Relations were crucial in helping me become a global citizen. The international affairs examine the world countries at large and the various issues affecting these countries and some of the solutions to these issues. Public relations examines the interaction of people around the world and the best things one can do to increase the chances of interaction.

Conclusively, it is evident that globalization is the basis behind the idea do becoming a global citizen. Those who embrace becoming global citizens have developed empathy and cultural awareness. At the same time, they have helped preserve the world making it a better place for people to stay in at the same time making it easier for them to thrive in the community that seems to be undergoing rapid changes. Despite the disagreement among theorists on what constitutes global citizenship, the continued changes in the modern world have helped shape the way people view global citizenship in the same direction.

Isin, E. F. (2013). Democracy, citizenship and global city. Routledge.

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

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