Becoming Global Citizens

I believe it was Thomas Paine who once said, “The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren and to do good is my religion.” His words epitomize what it means to be a global citizen, and we live in a time when, far more than his own, we need to begin to live by them.

It has become almost cliched to say that all human beings, regardless of race or religion, are essentially the same: We all share the same wants and fears, a desire to belong, but also to be unique is well documented. In a sense we have always known this. In Homer’s “Iliad”—the first work in the Western canon—Priam begs Achilles for the return of his son Hector’s body, and the tears shed by both men speak to the universality of humanity.

We have come a long way since Paine, and an even longer way since Homer. But we still do not fully embrace the point they make—that needs to change. Overcoming the challenges of the 21st century will require a truly global outlook: finishing off infectious diseases, controlling new technologies, preserving the environment, managing a slew of debt crises and balancing the world economy. These issues have a universal effect and cannot be resolved without concerted efforts from people and governments of all nations and backgrounds.

By “global citizen” I do not mean a citizen of a world with only one government, but rather a person who is sensitive to global needs and willing to act on them. And this does not need to be to the exclusion of well-developed personal and national identities. Think of it this way: It is impossible to identify yourself as an American citizen and a Chinese citizen simultaneously because the two are mutually exclusive. They are not mutually exclusive because the people inhabiting both countries lack common interests, nothing could be farther from the truth. However, they are taught to look at themselves as part of either China or the United States.

National citizenship is narrowly defined and self-serving. But global citizenship is far more inclusive: You can be born in the United States or China, but taught to value the differences in other places, in effect becoming more than just a citizen of one country. We need to start to teach our youngest generations to be open to more than just a globalized economy, but also to a truly global identity.

I think that universities are the best places to start instilling global values in people, and many universities already do a tremendous job. Duke is one of them. But there are still aspects of global citizenship that students and universities alike need to further explore. I can think of four pillars of global education for the globally minded: travel, technology, the humanities and mentorship. Universities are uniquely positioned to provide the foundation for each of them.

Study abroad and foreign language programs are essential as they nurture a sense of empathy and belonging. By encouraging people to travel, such programs can immerse students in the different ways of seeing and thinking about the world.

The information revolution has made the world even smaller. And still many people draw a line between the use of technology and the classroom, as if the two were incompatible. This is especially true in primary and secondary education, but also within higher education to a surprising degree. Embracing technology is important because it serves to further connect us to others and also provides the key to improving lives everywhere.