Being a citizen of the world is a mindset, and is about so much more than the number of stamps in your passport. It is about understanding and implementing a set of shared values that are priceless in today’s complex and interconnected world.
What is the Difference Between a Citizen and a Citizen of the World?
Citizens have rights and responsibilities within the country in which they enjoy citizenship. A global citizen transcends political borders and assumes that the rights and responsibilities can be derived from being a citizen of the world.
What Does It Mean To Be a Citizen of the World?
While it may mean different things to different people, the most common definition of a citizen of the world is the idea that all people have responsibilities to the world rather than just their country and immediate community.
Global citizens are curious about human cultures, the environment and economics, and how they all connect with each other. They have a desire to contribute to communities and the world at large in a positive way in order to improve the lives of others.
“The concept originated in ancient Greece around the fourth century and the Greeks coined the term ‘cosmopolitan’, which means citizen of the world. Through the ages, a global citizen has evolved to being someone who aligns with being worldly, travelling across the globe, and embracing diversity,” says Micha Emmett, the CEO of CS Global Partners, a citizenship advisory headquartered in London.
Citizenship by investment programmes offer the opportunity to legally acquire a new nationality in return for an investment in the economy of the host country. Such programmes confer citizenship status without causing any major disruptions to an investor’s life, provided they pass all the due diligence checks first, make a qualifying investment and provide all the correct documentation.
Just over a dozen countries in the world currently offer citizenship by investment (CBI). There is a higher concentration of citizenship by investment programmes in the Caribbean, a region considered the cradle of second citizenship by investment.
“Despite the world shutting down this year, with the pandemic, globalisation continues to drive nationals from one country to another to explore business opportunities. Citizenship by investment is such a powerful tool to give someone because alternative citizenship gives access to new frontiers, increased financial opportunities, and is seen as an insurance policy,” Emmett added.
Read also: The Advantages of Having Dual Citizenship
What Are the Qualities of a Citizen of the World?
Citizens of the world are independent-minded and are never afraid of exploring the unknown.
They take time to learn about different cultures and tradition as they realise that knowledge can help them better understand the people and places they experience.
They are compassionate and do not let borders stand in the way of caring for people all over the world.
They keep an open mind and recognise that it is more important to understand one another than to agree on everything.
They tend to choose experiences over possessions and are always eager to broaden their minds through new experiences, which tend to last longer.
They aren’t afraid to think big and work well with others. Citizens of the world belong to an emerging global community and they recognise that while this is a privilege, it is a responsibility. They embrace this role by understanding how their actions help shape our world.
How To Become a Citizen And a Citizen of the World
Make environmentally friendly choices in order to lessen the impact on the world. Learn about cultures all over the world, and educate yourself about what is going on gloabally. Travel is a great way to explore, understand and experience different places and cultures first hand.
Read also: More People Look To Climate Resilient Countries To Keep Safe
