Global Citizenship and International Humanitarian Work: Comprehensive Study Notes

Defining the Concept of Global Citizenship

• Core Notion: Global citizenship is a concept requiring individuals to look beyond their specific ethnic groups or nations. A global citizen cares not only about their local community and internal country affairs but is also invested in global occurrences.

• Cognitive Understanding: That person possesses an understanding of the root causes of world injustice and poverty.

• Commitment to Action: Beyond awareness, a global citizen is willing to take physical or social action to contribute to a world that is more peaceful and just.

• Etymology/Terminology: The term used for this concept is "䄖界公改" (Global Citizen).

Factors Contributing to the Emergence of Global Citizenship

• Historical Context - The Second World War:

  • International interactions increased significantly following the end of this conflict.

  • The war took place between $1939$ and $1945$.

  • It involved the Axis Powers (primarily Germany, Italy, and Japan) against the Allied Powers (primarily China, Britain, the US, France, and the Soviet Union).

  • The war concluded with the victory of the Allied Powers.

• Technological Innovation: Advancements in information technology, communication tools, and transportation infrastructure have greatly reduced the physical and conceptual gaps between countries.

• Globalization:

  • Emergence: Globalization came into significant play across political, economic, and social domains during the $1970\text{s}$.

  • Definition: It refers to the continuous expansion of connections between countries in economic, political, cultural, and other aspects.

  • Impact: Electronic media allows people to break constraints of time and space, accessing world information instantly. This high degree of interaction and interdependence fosters a global perspective by making people feel connected despite being far apart.

• International Interdependence: Modern issues are recognized as transcending national and ethnic boundaries. Because no single country or region can solve these problems alone, every person in the $21\text{st}$ century has effectively become a global citizen.

• Scope of International Issues:

  • Economy and Trade.

  • Human Rights.

  • Humanitarian Relief.

  • Environmental Protection.

  • Political Democratization.

  • The Gap between the rich and the poor.

  • Sustainable Development.

Defining Key Terms and Concepts

• Citizens: People who hold the nationality of a specific country. They are entitled to rights and must undertake responsibilities as defined by that country's laws.

• Sustainable Development: A form of development that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

• Empathy: A concept in interpersonal communication defined as the ability to recognize others' emotions and ideas, understand their stances and feelings, and deal with problems from the perspectives of others.

• Humanitarian Assistance: Measures taken to save lives, reduce suffering, and defend human dignity during or after man-made crises and natural disasters. This includes prevention efforts.

• Nationality: The legal status of belonging to a particular nation.

Comparison: National Citizen vs. Global Citizen

• A Citizen of an Individual Country:

  • Definition: A person holding the nationality of a specific country under that nation's specific laws.

  • Acquisition: One must gain nationality (e.g., those born in Hong Kong whose parents are Chinese citizens are Chinese citizens).

  • Rights/Responsibilities: Legal rights (e.g., right to vote, freedom of the press, freedom of speech) and legal responsibilities (e.g., paying taxes, complying with traffic regulations, reporting crime).

  • Core Concern: Caring for the specific country and creating well-being for that nation.

• A Global Citizen:

  • Definition: A person who transcends family or national boundaries to care about the world at large.

  • Certification: There is no clear legal definition or physical certification/passport for global citizenship.

  • Rights/Responsibilities: No legal framework for rights and responsibilities; instead, they should familiarize themselves with global issues and contribute voluntarily.

  • Core Concern: Caring for the world and general human well-being.

Consciousness and Quality of Global Citizenship

• The Interlocking Relationship: Global citizenship consciousness is an extension of national citizenship. An individual progresses through levels: Family $\rightarrow$ Community $\rightarrow$ Country $\rightarrow$ World. At each level, the individual takes on specific responsibilities, moving from self-interest to altruism.

• Key Qualities Required:

  • Broadening horizons by exposure to different cultures, values, and social environments.

  • Reflecting on local/global issues to promote social justice.

  • Understanding basic human rights and responsibilities to others.

  • Emphasizing values of justice, equality, and fraternity.

  • Maintaining an open mind toward different races and cultures.

  • Dealing with disputes through respectful and peaceful means.

  • Introspection and critical understanding instead of blindly following authority or popular opinion.

  • Willingness to take action to build a righteous and sustainable world.

The Three Key Elements of a Global Citizen

• Emotion: Having empathy for poverty and injustice; recognizing one’s personal impact on the world.

• Knowledge: Understanding the relationship between global/local development, wealth inequality, and the importance of sustainable development.

• Action: Practicing what one preaches and actively building a more equal world.

Promoting Global Citizenship via Intergovernmental Bodies

• Intergovernmental Bodies: Organizations co-established by governments where representatives from different countries are responsible for decision-making.

• The United Nations (UN):

  • Established: October $1945$.

  • Composition: Composed of various sovereign states.

  • China's Role: China is a founding member and a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

  • Specialized Agencies:

    • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

    • International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    • World Health Organization (WHO).

    • United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

    • Human Rights Council.

  • Impact: These agencies promote global development in health, education, welfare, technology, and culture.

• Relief Work within the UN:

  • The UN has helped and protected over $20\text{ million}$ refugees.

  • Relief agencies include the FAO, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The Role of International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs)

• Characteristics: Civic organizations organized at an international level; non-profit; joined on a voluntary basis; not driven by political or economic interests; guided by moral concepts and the voluntary spirit of citizens.

• Growth Statistics:

  • End of Cold War ($1991$): Approximately $15,000$ INGOs.

  • $2016$: Number exceeded $60,000$.

• Roles in Global Citizenship:

  • Arousing Public Awareness: Changing people's actions by changing their values (e.g., Greenpeace highlighting Arctic conservation via protests and media).

  • Disseminating Information: Disclosing the truth about emergency sites timely through diverse internet media.

  • Policy Monitoring: Reflecting citizen concerns to governments and monitoring policy implementation.

• Categories of INGOs:

  • Human Rights: International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

  • Environment Protection: Greenpeace.

  • Humanitarian Relief: Oxfam.

  • Women Affairs: International Alliance of Women.

  • Religion: World Alliance of YMCAs.

Profiles of Humanitarian Organizations

• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC):

  • Founded: $1863$.

  • Mission: Assist victims of armed conflict and turmoil.

  • Main Tasks: Disaster relief, prevention systems, refugee assistance, community health education, and blood transfusion services.

• World Vision:

  • Founded: $1950$ by American missionary Dr. Bob Pierce.

  • Mission: Assist the poor and oppressed.

  • Main Tasks: Child Sponsorship Programme, developing water resources, health care, and education to establish self-reliant communities.

• Mdecin Sans Frontires (MSF):

  • Founded: $1971$ by French doctors and journalists.

  • Mission: Independent, neutral medical humanitarianism for emergency crises.

  • Scope: Over $27,000$ relief workers helping millions of patients in nearly $70$ countries annually.

• ORBIS:

  • Tasks: Provides treatment for eye diseases in developing countries and trains local doctors.

Individual Contributions to Humanitarian Work

• Launching/Promoting Movement: Individuals like Bob Pierce started World Vision after meeting poor children in China in $1947$. By $2019$, the Hong Kong branch alone helped raise over $200,000$ children via the Child Sponsorship Programme.

• Donating Money and Goods: Since INGOs maintain independence from governments, they rely on private contributions. Every small donation contributes to a larger whole ("every little makes a mickle").

• Participating in Voluntary Work: Organizations like ICRC, MSF, and ORBIS depend on the dedication of medical staff and and enthusiast volunteer teams who provide services in backward areas.

Questions & Discussion

• Think About It Questions:

  • Do you think that Hong Kong people have a strong consciousness of global citizenship? (Reference: Construction of Wan Chai Bypass affecting Victoria Harbour).

  • Does citizenship of an individual country and global citizenship contradict each other given the existence of confrontational national interests?

  • What kind of humanitarian work do INGOs do? (Examples: MSF medical aid, World Vision poverty alleviation).

  • What did Dr. Bob Pierce feel when he was in China in $1947$?

  • Is Mother Teresa an icon of individual participation in humanitarian work? Does the song "Mother Teresa, the Kolkata's angel" reflect her spirit?

  • Can you give more examples for the five categories of INGOs (Human Rights, Environment, Relief, Women, Religion)?