10 What Matters as a Global Citizen
/10 What Matters as a Global Citizen
*Gaia heard the word “global citizen” for the first time in a school lesson.
/*Gaia heard the word “global citizen” for the first time in a school lesson.
The teacher wrote “global citizen” in big letters on the blackboard and asked the class,
/The teacher wrote “global citizen” in big letters on the blackboard and asked the class,
“What kind of person do you think a global citizen is?”
/“What kind of person do you think a global citizen is?”
The classroom became quiet, and the teacher continued.
/The classroom became quiet, and the teacher continued.
“A global citizen is someone who thinks not only about their own region or country, but about the whole Earth.”
/“A global citizen is someone who thinks not only about their own region or country, but about the whole Earth.”
“For example, if a region cuts down many trees to sell lumber, it may bring short-term profit to that area.”
/“For example, if a region cuts down many trees to sell lumber, it may bring short-term profit to that area.”
“But because of that, forests are lost and the whole Earth suffers from global warming.”
/“But because of that, forests are lost and the whole Earth suffers from global warming.”
“It’s important to think about the balance between short-term benefits and long-term effects.”
/“It’s important to think about the balance between short-term benefits and long-term effects.”
Also, it can be a problem when only one country tries to gain benefits.
/Also, it can be a problem when only one country tries to gain benefits.
For example, if one country monopolizes resources and sacrifices others,
/For example, if one country monopolizes resources and sacrifices others,
it can create unfairness and lead to conflict.
/it can create unfairness and lead to conflict.
That’s why it’s important to look at the whole world and think about ways to cooperate as global citizens.
/That’s why it’s important to look at the whole world and think about ways to cooperate as global citizens.
But most important of all is the growth of each person’s heart.
/But most important of all is the growth of each person’s heart.
Having compassion for others and acting not just for yourself but for everyone is the foundation of being a global citizen.
/Having compassion for others and acting not just for yourself but for everyone is the foundation of being a global citizen.
For example, picking up trash in your community or saving electricity to protect the environment
/For example, picking up trash in your community or saving electricity to protect the environment
can lead to a big movement that improves the whole world.
/can lead to a big movement that improves the whole world.
Hearing this, *Gaia felt his heart grow warm and strongly thought,
/Hearing this, *Gaia felt his heart grow warm and strongly thought,
“I want to act as a global citizen too.”
/“I want to act as a global citizen too.”
That night, *Gaia spoke to his family.
/That night, *Gaia spoke to his family.
“In our town, we’re working to protect nature, but we also need to think about the whole world.”
/“In our town, we’re working to protect nature, but we also need to think about the whole world.”
His father said,
/His father said,
“That’s right. It’s important to protect our town and region.”
/“That’s right. It’s important to protect our town and region.”
“If we don’t have stability in our own area, it’s hard to care about other places.”
/“If we don’t have stability in our own area, it’s hard to care about other places.”
“But if we think only about our own benefit, we might miss the chance to make the whole world better.”
/“But if we think only about our own benefit, we might miss the chance to make the whole world better.”
The next day, *Gaia and his friends formed the “Global Citizen Club.”
/The next day, *Gaia and his friends formed the “Global Citizen Club.”
In the club, they held study sessions about the Earth, picked up trash, and did recycling activities.
/In the club, they held study sessions about the Earth, picked up trash, and did recycling activities.
They also created a corner on the school bulletin board called “Let’s Learn About Global Environmental Issues.”
/They also created a corner on the school bulletin board called “Let’s Learn About Global Environmental Issues.”
And they planned support activities for people in distant countries who were in need.
/And they planned support activities for people in distant countries who were in need.
One day, the club held an event during a festival called “Let’s Support Global Citizens!”
/One day, the club held an event during a festival called “Let’s Support Global Citizens!”
*Gaia and his friends displayed drawings themed on the future of the Earth
/*Gaia and his friends displayed drawings themed on the future of the Earth
and shared the importance of thinking about long-term happiness rather than short-term profit.
/and shared the importance of thinking about long-term happiness rather than short-term profit.
The adults who visited were moved and said,
/The adults who visited were moved and said,
“We support this activity!”
/“We support this activity!”
On the way home, *Gaia said to his friend,
/On the way home, *Gaia said to his friend,
“It’s really important to think about ways for everyone to be happy in the long term, not just short-term profit.”
/“It’s really important to think about ways for everyone to be happy in the long term, not just short-term profit.”
“Let’s keep going with our activities!”
/“Let’s keep going with our activities!”
His friend smiled and replied, “Yeah!”
/His friend smiled and replied, “Yeah!”
Review Questions
/Review Questions
What is one important element of being a global citizen that *Gaia learned at school?
/What is one important element of being a global citizen that *Gaia learned at school?
a. Thinking about the balance between short-term and long-term benefits
/a. Thinking about the balance between short-term and long-term benefits
b. Prioritizing only your own region
/b. Prioritizing only your own region
c. Taking resources from other countries
/c. Taking resources from other countries
What was one activity *Gaia and his club did?
/What was one activity *Gaia and his club did?
a. Holding an event to support global citizens
/a. Holding an event to support global citizens
b. Making new toys every day
/b. Making new toys every day
c. Cleaning only their own houses
/c. Cleaning only their own houses
Let’s Think!
/Let’s Think!
How do you think *Gaia felt when he learned about the balance between short-term and long-term benefits?
/How do you think *Gaia felt when he learned about the balance between short-term and long-term benefits?
What kind of balance can you create in your own life?
/What kind of balance can you create in your own life?
What do you think you can do to protect your local area while also improving the whole Earth?
/What do you think you can do to protect your local area while also improving the whole Earth?
Let’s also think about how to spread your actions to others.
/Let’s also think about how to spread your actions to others.
