Global Citizenship

Oxfam’s concept of the Global Citizen has grown out of the ideas and principles of Development Education

A Global Citizen is someone who:

• Is aware of the wider world and has a sense of their own role as a world citizen
• Respects and values diversity
• Has an understanding of how the world works economically, politically, socially, culturally, technologically and environmentally
• Is outraged by social injustice
• Participates in, and contributes to, the community at a range of levels from the local to the global
• Is willing to act to make the world a more equitable and sustainable place
• Takes responsibility for their actions.

Education for Global Citizenship is education that develops the following elements:

• Knowledge and understanding
• Social justice and equity
• Diversity
• Globalisation and interdependence
• Sustainable development
• Peace and conflict

Skills

• Critical thinking
• Ability to argue effectively
• Ability to challenge injustice and inequalities
• Respect for people and things
• Co-operation and conflict resolution

Values and attitudes

• Sense of identity and self esteem
• Empathy
• Commitment to social justice and equity
• Value and respect for diversity
• Concern for the environment and commitment to sustainable development
• Belief that people can make a difference