The Global Citizen

It is funny to hear children making sense of where they live. They are not sure exactly what Edmonton is, where Alberta fits in and if they are in or out of Canada. Oh yes, and then they discover the whole notion of Earth: one of eight planets in a solar system in a very, awesomely big universe.

I am a citizen of Canada. I have documents to prove it. I have a birth certificate. I soon will have a passport. I belong. But citizen of the world is different. I have no citizen of the world document. It is a poetic way of saying that I live on Earth and that with that comes responsibilities to my fellow Earthlings. It means that I have to care about the little part of the Earth that I occupy. It means caring about the others, near and far. 

When I see global injustices, how do I react? Do I see global issues as my issues? The internet has allowed me to be more connected to places all over the earth. The internet gives news from all over the world. If you hear about a disaster somewhere on the other side of the world, you can google local news from that area and get a different or close up perspective. 

When there was an earthquake in Haiti, I felt connected to their suffering. I have an aunt who has worked with the poor in Haiti for all my life. Every month, she sends a letter telling about her adventures and misadventures with the poor of Haiti. So when the earthquake happened, I kind of felt close to those people. Like many, my family sent money to help with the relief. 

My family has supported children in Asia for years. I see their photographs and read their little letters and news from their schools and orphanages. It is another way to be connected with fellow citizens.