Responsible Global Citizenship - Essay Example

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP Name Course Instructor’s Name Date Introduction Global citizenship is the system of creating and maintaining world peace and order through the concept of individuals having a global intention to reinforce ethical and moral responsibilities in communities that one lives in even if its not their own country of origin. Global citizenship has similar contexts as cosmopolitanism, and the systems of globalization, in that they are geared towards making the world a global village, with people respecting the rule of law, upholding the human rights of every individual big or small, and improve international relations that feeds the increasing world demands in the new world order (Dower &Williams, 2002). Elements of Global Citizenship Effective Knowledge and understanding For effective and responsible global citizenship, there is an increasing need to conform to international standards. This does help in avoiding infringements into other people’s personal space, infringement on people’s freedoms, imposing one’s belief and culture on others, degradation of global environment and violation of fundamental human rights (Carter, 2001). There are key elements to global citizenship that evaluates and forms responsible global citizenship. There is knowledge and understanding. Any person involved in the systems of global citizenship should first understand that all humankind are one and should not be looked down upon or neglected by either their race, religion, colour of their skin, social status, social groupings, gender, age, sex, disabilities, or even one’s sexual orientation (Dower &Williams, 2002). A responsible global citizen should know and appreciate that people globally are different and that the diversity makes them unique. Diversity is beautiful and should be encouraged and used as mode of tourism through cultural lifestyles, music, dances, fairy tales and arts. Global citizenship allows for understanding and gaining knowledge on how the systems of economics, politics, religion, social beliefs, social behaviour, and environments work (Dower &Williams, 2002). This is done through implementation of globalization processes and advocating for interdependence. Through knowledge and understanding, universal ethics are geared towards creating and sustaining social equity and social justice (Carter, 2001). Moreover, gaining the knowledge on innovations that will help develop sustainable development, restore peace in conflicting and warring nations through repatriation and reconciliation. For example, the United States, practicing global citizenship invaded Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, and Kuwait among other nations in the recent past. This was necessitated by the need to safeguard global peace, since these countries were suspected and others confirmed to be inventing and supporting launch of nuclear plants and production of weapons of mass destructions, and protecting fundamental human rights in some of the nations since there were massive genocides and evictions of ethnic groupings by their rivals (Schattle, 2008). Element of Skills Apart from the element of knowledge and skills, there is the element of skills. It is important for persons involved in global citizenship to be aware and understanding the processes of democracy, be willing to get involved in critical thinking and making decisions when and where necessary at the society and local levels, national and international levels (Dower &Williams, 2002). Global citizenship should be exercised cautiously by persons involved during consultation processes, and having the respect for other people and properties. Global citizens are now accessible and possess dual citizenship, therefore, they should be able to obey the rule of law established in the country they are residing, respecting their way of life regardless of what they (global citizen), may think of it. As the world shrinks and becomes transversal, air fees have reduced and people have been joined across the world by the click of a button or are a call away. Implementations of IT systems like the satellites, cable television, the internet, mobile phones internet search engines like Google and a boom in social websites like facebook, Myspace, and tweeter among others (Schattle, 2008).. This communication infrastructure has been significant to business innovations and transactions since one does not need to transact business physically but can use video conferencing or the internet (Carter, 2001). Undertaking large amounts of workload has been eased by use of complex mechanical systems in developing nations from developed nations, like machinery used in water, oil drilling and mineral extractions have been passed from more revolutionized countries. A global citizen through the elements of skill is able to challenge social injustices and social inequalities in the society that oppresses not necessary themselves, but another human being (Carter, 2001). They effectively argue out their point of view, help and cooperate with others to create resolutions and reconciliations in conflicts, offer their service to others even if they are not from the same cultural setting or nationality, and get involved in consultation processes rather than solve issues by going into wars. Global citizens should therefore be able to see issues and events from a different point of view or have a different perspective. Element of Attitudes and Values Global citizenship does not only advocate for upholding knowledge and understanding and skills, but also stresses the need for good values and attitudes (Carter, 2001). People or nations who view themselves global citizens or activists for global citizenship should be committed to improving and establishing policies and systems that safeguards social justice and equities (Schattle, 2008).. They should believe that different people although differs from what they know, are able to contribute and make a difference in making the world a better place to live in. global citizenship should allow people to feel good about themselves, have a sense of self identity, are self sufficient and they have high regard for self worth and self esteem. People are inflicted by diseases, violence, wars, discrimination, hunger, thirst, and poverty. As a global citizen one is supposed to be empathetic and help mobilize for funds to feed, quench, shelter and reconcile the victims relatively (Midwinter, 2005). The United Nations and other international agencies like the Red Cross, through global citizenship has help safeguards the rights of refugees, internally displaced persons, victims of war and drought stricken people (Carter, 2001). They have provided food, water, shelter, legal assistance, medical supplies, evacuations to people who need it. Through value and attitudes, there is greater need to respect and value our diversities of religion, politics, culture, social and political systems. Moreover, the need to act to improve and add value to the world in one’s own way, make sacrifices for the common good of the human kind and show concern and commitment to sustainable development and conserving the environment (Schattle, 2008).. The concern and conserving the environment can be done by international recognition of environmental activists like winning the noble peace prizes, afforestation, minimize pollution by implementing and conforming to set world policies on environment like the Kyoto Protocol, and advocate for processes that reduce global warming (Gibney & Loescher, 2003). United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is an agency of the United Nations whose headquarters is in Geneva (UNHCR, 2010). The agency’s mandate is to safeguard and coordinate the rights of refugees internationally, and offer humanitarian assistance to them that need it. They are responsible for repatriation of refugees, their integration in the host country and resettling them in third countries (Loescher, Betts &Milner, 2008) Evaluation of UNHCR against the Elements of Global Citizenship Evaluation of UNHCR against Knowledge and Understanding The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has been greatly influenced by global citizenship. This has been so due to its services being needed across the globe, thus establishing its offices around the world and comprising of 192 member states (Abdi, 2009). When evaluating UNHCR agency against the elements of knowledge and understanding, the agency has been able to identify countries that have a refugee crisis and recognize when their social justice and equities has been violated (Loescher, Betts &Milner, 2008). They have done so by incorporating legal frameworks that the refugees can rely on to fight for their causes. It has encouraged diversity by building refugee camps for both genders, and for people with different cultural backgrounds. They have supplied the required basic needs without favouring one ethnic group over the other. Through the element of knowledge and understanding, the agency as an activist of global citizenship has helped in establishing sustainable developments. This has been experienced by countries suffering from civil wars (Loescher, 2001). Sustainable developments done and facilitated by the UNHCR when addressing the refugee crisis is offering of education for minors in refugee camps, cooperate with the host government to offer skills to men and women in refugee camps in order for them to learn new ways to provide for their families or get their basic needs (Young & Commins, 2002; UNHCR, 2010). The other way that the agency has been able to practice responsible global citizenship is by working together with the governments of the country in conflict in facilitating voluntary resettlement of refugees, and doing so when they have ensured safety (Loescher, Betts &Milner, 2008). However, the agency has not been able to offer its services to perfection since it has been unable to manage problems that refugees face like sexual and psychological violence, there is increased rates of deplorable conditions in detention camps for illegal refugees and refugee camps. They have been unable to put off political influence, like assisting only counties allied to the United Nations (Eade & Byrne, 2005). Evaluation of UNHCR against Skills The UNHCR agency in the pursuit of keeping peace and safeguarding the safety and rights of refugees has had to apply skills in order to meet its mandate and objectives (Abdi, 2009). It has been able to challenge government across the world that has violated fundamental human rights, social justice and equities, by being witnesses and providing incriminating evidence, when such governments or administrations are taken to the international courts (UNHCR, 2010). Evidence collected by UNHCR in Kosovo and Yugoslavia, Darfur, Congo, Liberia, and Iraq has been used by the international criminal courts to indict personalities and government officials involved in violation of human rights and plotting genocides, like Slobodan, Al Bashir, Mobutu, Taylor and Saddam Hussein respectively (Loescher, 2001). Moreover, the agency has trained its personnel in acquiring communication skills that are important in holding mediation talks between rival groups that seek to evict others. In addition, negotiation skills are useful in negotiating for improvements and establishing good living conditions of refugee camps and detention camps by host countries (Loescher, Betts &Milner, 2008).They have been involved in sorting out issues and solving problems deemed contentious by rival groupings or issues faced by the refugees. They have been able to spread responsible global citizenship, by offering their services to refugees, who otherwise would not have anyone to care and protect them (Abdi, 2009). United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has been able to offer alternative remedies to refugees. For example, instead of moving refugees across borders, they help build and give supplies for internally displaced persons. The UNHCR agency has integrated the media in its operations. They do this by learning where there help is needed and use the media to mobilize for donations and funding to help feed and shelter refugees (Abdi, 2009). The use media has also been integral in uncovering the extent of damage caused by wars and exposing bureaucratic governments. Using this element, the agency has effectively played its role as a global citizen or body. Evaluation of UNHCR against Attitudes and Values The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has played a key role in safeguarding and seeking to cater for the needs of millions of refugees across the globe. They have been empathetic in order to do so (Loescher, Betts &Milner, 2008). They have acted and worked ethically to make sure the rights and justice of refugees are honoured, respected and protected (UNHCR, 2010). They have worked with governments and other non-governmental organizations in countries of conflict, to encourage and develop positive attitude towards differences in diversity (Abdi, 2009). Diversity has been encouraged through films, seminars, festivals, exhibitions and art galleries that depict that although people are different, they are unique and add value to the world. The change of attitude towards diversity is encouraged because most warring countries do so because of having different religion or ethnic backgrounds. In Rwanda, the genocide was a result of diversity in terms of tribe (Abdi, 2009). The UNHCR has been able to make sacrifices for others for the common good, by entering hostile countries, and negotiating with third countries in case the rights and safety of refugees in host country are in jeopardy (UNHCR, 2010). They do this with the sole purpose of making the world a better and safer place to live in (Loescher, Betts &Milner, 2008). The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has mobilized its efforts in making sure that governments, host residents respect the fundamental rights of refugees wherever they are, ensuring that those who seek asylum get it, and that illegal refugees are handled with integrity and dignity that any other person is accorded with. They have set care centres in the refugee camps to help refugees deal with psychological disorders like posttraumatic disorders, anxiety, depression, and emotional imbalances. They also offer counselling and give hope to those who feel hopeless, unwanted and displaced (Abdi, 2009). These ethical practices go a long way to normalizing refugees who deal with a lot of pressures (UNHCR, 2010). Conclusion Global citizenship is the system of creating and maintaining world peace and order through the concept of individuals having a global intention to reinforce ethical and moral responsibilities in communities that one lives in even if its not their own country of origin (Loescher, 2001). The three elements that are integral to responsible global citizenship are knowledge and understanding, skills and value and attitudes. UNHCR has responsibly taken the initiative of using this concept to offer its services to the crisis of refugees. As the world becomes a global village, there is an increasing need for global citizenship, which has helped foster international relations, safeguarding human rights and maintaining world peace and order (Carter, 2001). REFERENCES Abdi .A. A. 2009. Educating for Human Rights and Global Citizenship G - Reference, Information and Interdisciplinary Subjects Series. London: SUNY Press. Carter. A. 2001. The political theory of global citizenship. New York: Routledge. Dower. N., Williams. J. 2002. Global citizenship: a critical introduction. New York: Routledge. Eade. J., O’Byrne. D.J. 2005. Global ethics and civil society; Ethics and global politics. Surrey: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. Gibney. M., Loescher. G. 2003. Problems of protection: the UNHCR, refugees, and human rights. New York: Routledge. Loescher. G. 2001. The UNHCR and world politics: a perilous path. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Loescher. G., Betts. A., Milner.J.H.S. 2008. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): the politics and practice of refugee protection into the twenty-first century. Oxford: Taylor & Francis. Midwinter. C. 2005. Making Sense of World Conflicts. Oxford: Oxfam. Schattle .H. 2008. The practices of global citizenship. Cambridge: Rowman & Littlefield. UNHCR. 2010. About Us. Available at http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home [Accessed 14 September 2010] Young .M. Commins. E. 2002. Global citizenship: the handbook for primary teaching. Oxford: Oxfam. Read More