How to Define Global Citizen?

Not yet a legal term that applies universally

In seeking to define what a global citizen is, I’ve encountered at least 10 different and somewhat disparate definitions, none entirely satisfactory because they do not yet confer, in international law, universally recognized rights or obligations.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1947, sought to enshrine the rights and freedoms of all human beings. Though signed by 48 of the 58 members of the UN General Assembly, the declaration is not legally binding in any country. It was a step forward, but aspirational only. As anyone who follows the news knows, human rights are routinely violated in many countries.

GlobalCitizenSolutions.com helps facilitate dual citizenship and residency in 13 countries, mainly for investors.

Oxfam.org, a British-founded confederation of 21 independent charitable organizations focusing on the alleviation of global poverty, offers this definition: “A global citizen is someone who is aware of and understands the wider world – and their place in it. They are citizens of the world. They take an active role in their community and work with others to make our planet more peaceful, sustainable, and fairer.”

I find that definition inadequate.

Who truly can say they understand the entire world? Very few. It would take an entire lifetime of study to master multiple languages, and fully understand and explain complex societies like India, China, Russia, and the United States. Just because an individual takes “an active role in their community and work(s) with others” does not mean the planet will be more peaceful. How do you define “sustainable” and “fairer”? This definition is idealistic but too generalized to be meaningful.

UNICEF, originally called the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, is active in 192 countries and territories. It defines global citizens as people who “understand interconnectedness, value and respect diversity, take action in meaningful ways, and (who have) the ability to challenge injustice.” In 2020, UNICEF raised $7.2 billion