[Professor]
Since the globalization, communication went through a massive development that includes the advent of the internet. In the history of communication, internet did not only change the systems of communications but also economics and even politics. Production area of business is not already limited by time and workforce as the internet paved way for managing workforce around the globe across time difference. Money is already wired from any point of the globe to another in a matter of minutes.
On the other hand, advocacies are not already limited in specific domestic situations. There is already an emerging solidarity of movements on particular social issues across the globe. Advocacy activities on religious pluralism for example are coursed through the internet and it can gather statements of support from different like-minded grounds all over the world immediately. Social movements became more interactive and more empowering as anybody can contribute to a cause. In both world economies and social movements, internet can be considered revolutionary as it has propelled their massive advancement that never happened in the previous centuries.
The internet has also paved the way for the rising of a new village called the global village where anybody can participate. It is a virtual community of people around the world built in the principles of tolerance and solidarity. Organizations and individuals gather virtually specially in working on specific issues, arts and cultures of interests. Peoples can already widen their networks globally to save the environment against corporate plunder. This avenue of advocacy pressures nations and states to respond quickly on issues that may include climate change, environment degradation, plunder of natural resources, intolerance, and women and indigenous peoples’ issues. Recognizing the significance of the global village, the United Nations in 2012 together with several countries drafted and approved what they call the Amherst Declaration on Global Citizenship.
One specific example of the global citizenship in action is the on-going global rage against the killing of a Black youth in Ferguson in the United States. Coordinated social actions that include civil disobedience has been on-going worldwide to denounce the hate crime perpetrated by a police officer. These social actions are posted in several social networking sites in the internet making it easier for the global citizens to connect every event. The internet paved way for the easier access of information on recent coordinated activities to world. Those who were not able to join the physical actions helped in sharing the information with their friends in the social networking sites making the issue viral. The global citizens all contributed to the high publicity of the hate crime pressing the international bodies like the United Nations to act on it. As November ended, the United Nations issued a statement demanding the United States of America to investigate the case.
The global citizenship declaration was made in order to build a sustainable future of the world in the context of tolerance, respect of human rights, environment preservation and protection, gender equality, humanitarian assistance, and peace building by helping in the conflict resolutions. Reading through the objectives of the global citizenship, it is demanding big words from every willing person in the world. In line with this, it needs building global movements on comprehensive and particular issues. Being a citizen in this global village needs commitment and perseverance in pursuing the changes that we envision to see for the future generations. Every race, nationalities, and ethnics are free to participate and commit their selves for a sustainable world. The global village is inclusive and it will not exclude anybody on the grounds of race, class and gender as it invokes a community that embody tolerance.
Another point in case is the issue of Climate Change that is constantly worsening. There is a need for every global citizen to coordinate more to hold the culprits accountable. The United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) has been helpful as a venue especially for the climate refugees in island countries to voice their issues and influence the declaration. Social movements have been increasingly participating in the talks through the social media. They utilize the internet to post statements of support to the participating nations and states representatives.
The global village as we know it knows no bounds. However, as a citizen, there are principles to be followed specially tolerance. Citizens come from various countries with diverse cultures, social values, religions, and even politics. All citizens are free to speak their minds regardless of the origin as long as it contributes to attaining a sustainable future. As we tread the path for the envisioned future, every warm body is not excluded in joining the emerging movement for change. Everybody needs to be critical on issues affecting the global society and contribute to creating solutions. Let us all become responsible human beings by becoming citizens of the global village.
