World citizen

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A design for a World Citizen flag

World Citizen badge

World citizen is a term with a variety of meanings, often referring to a person who disapproves of traditional geopolitical divisions derived from national citizenship. It might be associated with approval of world government and democracy.^{[citation needed]}

In a non-political definition, it has been suggested that a world citizen may provide value to society by using knowledge acquired across cultural contexts^[1]. In its most obvious scenario, the savvy businessperson who has travelled the world would be able to use knowledge about resources and products found abroad to create business where value can be maximised. In another scenario, the savvy world citizen would leverage cultural knowledge from his/her numerous trips to create bridges of knowledge, also creating value.

[edit] World Citizen Day

There is a World Citizen Day each year, which occurs on the equinox in March. This means that the date is different each year but falls between the 19th and 21st of March. [1]

[edit] Bahá'í Faith

The Bahá'í Faith promotes the concept through its Founder's proclamation (in the late 1800s) that "The Earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens" (Ref: Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh..., p. 167). As a term defined by the Bahá'í International Community in a concept paper shared at the 1st session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, New York, U.S.A. on 14-25 June 1993 ^[2] "World citizenship begins with an acceptance of the oneness of the human family and the interconnectedness of the nations of 'the earth, our home.' While it encourages a sane and legitimate patriotism, it also insists upon a wider loyalty, a love of humanity as a whole. It does not, however, imply abandonment of legitimate loyalties, the suppression of cultural diversity, the abolition of national autonomy, nor the imposition of uniformity. Its hallmark is 'unity in diversity.' World citizenship encompasses the principles of social and economic justice, both within and between nations; non-adversarial decision making at all levels of society; equality of the sexes; racial, ethnic, national and religious harmony; and the willingness to sacrifice for the common good. Other facets of world citizenship -- including the promotion of human honour and dignity, understanding, amity, co-operation, trustworthiness, compassion and the desire to serve -- can be deduced from those already mentioned."

[edit] Other uses

The United Nations Correspondents Association issues an award called Citizen of the World.
It may be used by activists such as the World Service Authority that promote an integrated, supranational world government.
It may sometimes refer to persons promoting internationalism, predicated on the closer cooperation of sovereign states.
Oxfam UK has an educational programme on global citizenship.
The Boy Scouts of America offers a merit badge called Citizenship in the World.