What Does It Mean To Be A Global Citizen?

I was born and raised in Canada and therefore am a Canadian citizen. But am I a global citizen? According to the organization Oxfam, a global citizen is someone who

• is aware of the wider world
• respects and values diversity
• is willing to act to help others
• accepts responsibility for his or her actions

Global citizens take responsibility for making globalization work for as many people around the world as possible. Global citizens look beyond what is and envision a world of universal equality and justice. They are the people that create positive change in this world.

 “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” 

― Mother Teresa

So am I a global citizen? At this point in my life I’m no Wangari Maathai or William Wilberforce and haven’t contributed much to the bettering of the world but I do cast my stones, however small they may be.  My best example would be my work as a volunteer at the SPCA. One day a week I help to better the lives of animals who have been abandoned and I'm proud of that contribution. And as get older and more experienced I want to be able to contribute even more to this world. People that make big moves in life are the ones that make an impact on this world and I want to be one of those people.