3 easy steps to be an effective global citizen

Friday, January 15, 2010

Thanks so much to everyone who came out to listen to PSP’s talk on how to be an effective global citizen at University of Toronto’s Victoria College this past Wednesday! And a huge thank you to Dr. Sheila Cook for asking us to join her class!

We thought we’d share some of our presentation with you here on our blog, so here’s some food for thought on how you can be most effective as a global citizen in 3 easy steps.

1.Recognize you already are a global citizen. Whether you like it or not, our world is intensely interconnected, and the fact that you’re a part of it makes you a citizen of our globe. And although you can choose to ignore it, everyday you are confronted with opportunities to take responsibility to help shape our world. So think about it: how do you feel you can contribute to the improvement of our global community?
2.Make conscious decisions. Make decisions in your daily life with the rest of the world in mind. From our choices at the supermarket to the courses in school we choose, we all affect the globe and its future with every decision. So make conscious and informed decisions to the best of your ability. And take initiative to inform yourself so you can make even better decisions.
3.Engage in world issues. Ignoring the world’s problems won’t make them go away, so tackle world issues head on. It’s easier than you think. Each of our contributions makes a tremendous difference, and even if it seems small, our individual actions help to shift the worldviews of others toward a more sustainable and humane planet. Volunteer your time and skills, and make donations in kind. And donate cash: even a dollar makes a huge difference if you think about how to make it most effective, which may mean donating to a local organization outside your country’s borders. Sign petitions, vote, and don’t be afraid to get your head out of the sand. And most importantly: recognize that the solutions are already happening, and that change is not only possible, it’s imperative!