Citizen of the World or “Global citizenship” is an innovative term and idea that describes a person whose identity has transcended geographical or political boundaries and who has acquired the responsibilities or rights of belonging to a wider class, which is "humanity." This identity can communicate with any individual at any level, regardless of their culture and country, globally.
Of course, this does not mean that such a person renounces his or her original identity and nationality, but that such an identity is given a "second place" in membership of the international community (Clark). The use of this term has expanded with the increasing awareness of human beings about globalization and the transformation of human identity from a purely national perspective to a broader concept and it is examined today from various aspects. Experts believe that cosmopolitanism is more prevalent in the 21st century than ever before. In particular, our common goal of conserving global resources, dealing with climate change and unprecedented challenges facing the world, such as the corona crisis, requires a cosmopolitan perspective (Calzada). Therefore, addressing the issue of Citizen of the World during the epidemic crisis and the post-Covid era is debatable and decisive.
The phenomenon of global citizenship is considered by specialists from various angles such as education, philosophy, social, cultural, political, human rights, etc., and has many defenders and opponents. What almost all thinkers agree on is that at the same time as globalization, the importance of globalized citizenship is transnational and believes in the unity of life on earth. Proponents of this thought see their role as citizens around the world (Saperstein). Their common feature is the effort to create a global organization focused on overcoming poverty and suffering, respect to high diversity, sufficient understanding of how the world works in economic, political, social, cultural and environmental conditions, and most importantly the ongoing effort to dealing with global epidemic crises. So they ignore social injustice and are willing to work to create a more sustainable world. On the other hand, critics believe that not all interpretations of global citizenship are positive. According to them, universal citizenship, which means being a citizen of the world, is neither practical nor desirable. Membership in a system of government that encompasses the entire world is impractical, and if such a government existed, it would certainly be bureaucratic, oppressive, and culturally dull (Clark). In general, critics of this phenomenon are often opposed to globalization in the general sense.
Despite all the controversy surrounding this phenomenon, we see that especially in recent years, the world is increasingly economically, politically and culturally interconnected. Members of the international community, institutions and individuals have worked together on important global issues such as “climate change, education, equality, hunger, justice, peace, poverty, public health and a number of other global challenges” ( Saperstein). International agreements have opened borders and gone beyond the borders of the nation-state. With the strengthening of international relations, new ideas have spread across countries and innovative technologies have become available in more parts of the world. Experts believe that this international cooperation is rooted in the growing concept of "global citizenship" that encourages nations and citizens around the world to participate in common goals. Characteristics of global citizenship include global awareness and shared commitment to common goals, empathy, concern for the environment, respect for diversity, compensation for economic and social inequalities, and most importantly, a global approach to empathy in the Corona crisis (Clark).
Today we are facing a global crisis that is perhaps the greatest crisis of our generation. The decisions that governments and people make during this time are likely to change the future shape of the world. According to Hariri, many of the short-term emergency choices today become part of our future lives. Experience has shown that in times of crisis, decisions that may normally be discussed over the years can be made within hours (Harari). For example, these days most of the people work or study at home remotely. Before Corona, no one imagined that one day jobs and schools would go online, and in normal times, governments, businesses and educators would never agree to do so. However it is a feature of critical times that disrupts a normal lifestyle to find the right solution and forces people to choose new ways. As Harari argued, in this time of crisis, we are faced with two important choices. It is a choice between totalitarian surveillance and citizen empowerment on the one hand, or nationalist isolation and global solidarity on the other.
To deal with the epidemic crisis, the entire population must follow certain guidelines. One way is for the government to monitor the people and punish those who break the law. Today, technology has made it possible to fully monitor everyone. For instance, several governments have introduced new regulatory tools, the most notable of which is the Chinese government. Chinese authorities quickly monitor people's smartphones, use hundreds of millions of face recognition cameras and report body temperature and medical conditions of carriers and patients, and even tracking their movements (Harari). It may be claimed that this is a care technology that reduces pandemics and is in the public interest. But critics of surveillance technology believe that none of us know exactly how we will be monitored and how our privacy will be affected in the future. As Harari states, according to this view, if companies and governments start collecting our biometric information, they can not only predict our emotions, but also manipulate our emotions and sell us whatever they want and take control of us.
In contrast to totalitarian monitoring systems, the method of empowering citizens can be chosen. Centralized surveillance and harsh punishment are not the only ways to get people to follow instructions. Rather, some of the most successful efforts to contain the coronavirus epidemic are honest reporting and voluntary cooperation. When scientific facts are passed on to the people without censorship and the people trust government officials, citizens can do the right thing without being pressured. Self-motivated population and the use of awareness strength are usually much more powerful and effective than police pressure with ignorance. Achieving such a level of compliance and cooperation requires an element of “trust”. People must trust science, trust government officials, and trust the media so that they can take responsibly spontaneous measures to ensure the health of all citizens. Thus, the coronavirus epidemic is an important measurement to test the trust of governments on the one hand and the sense of humanity of citizens on the other (Harari).
To contain the epidemic crisis, the second important choice is between nationalist isolation and global solidarity. As Estellés mentions, both the epidemic crisis and the resulting economic crisis, are global problems that can only be effectively resolved through global cooperation. A global effort is needed to manufacture and distribute medical equipment, especially testing kits and respirators. Instead of each country wanting to do it independently locally and monopolizing, a concerted global effort can speed up production. This ensures that life-saving equipment is distributed more equitably. Most governments, regardless of their orientation, did not take action until the COVID-19 threat was within their borders, and did not see the challenge as a global battle and raised it at the national level (Harari).
In addition, from an anti-globalization perspective, global sitizen is the cause of the spread of the virus, and the solution is to further isolate and close the global open routes. But the epidemic has shown that this global crisis requires cooperation in measures such as the sharing of reliable information between countries, the coordination of global production of medical equipment, or the establishment of a secure economic safety net (Estellés). According to Superstein, multilateral institutions such as the European Union and the United Nations have a key role to play in counteracting the effects of Covid-19. For instance, despite the existing shortcomings, a number of EU countries have provided financial and medical assistance to other member states by developing new European Commission strategies. The spread and impact of the virus can be significantly reduced if the international community works together on treatments and vaccines, improve health care, help with economic recovery and prepare for the next wave of the coronavirus. I agree with Superstein who states that global challenges need global solutions, and we need global citizenship approach now more than ever.
A Recovery Proposal for the World
It is true that the current corona crisis has crippled the whole world and upset the balance before, but human life continues with the corona and after the corona. Undoubtedly, the effects of the corona crisis continue not only in the short term but also in the long term. That is why it is important for thinkers to explore and provide possible plans of the post-Covid world. According to scholars, in addition to the most significant responsibility, which is to end the epidemic and the defeat of the Corona, major challenges such as ending hunger, educational issues, protection of the planet, justice and equality for all, etc. must be addressed (Schiffrin, Clifford & Tumiatti). To end the epidemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that more than 60% of people worldwide must be vaccinated. Ensure that other COVID-19 instruments, such as tests, treatments and protective equipment, are equally accessible to all worldwide (A Recovery…). Because the nature of the virus and its different types are evolving, it is not enough for rich countries to take care of themselves. Rather, the security and health of the poorest people around the world must be ensured. I believe that, the effects of COVID-19 are not limited to the health sector, but the virus has disrupted all aspects of daily life, especially among the poorest and most vulnerable communities around the world.
Nowadays, millions of people around the world are deprived of regular access to safe and adequate nutrients. Due to the economic and social pressures of losing jobs and other factors, people have less money to spend, and this is especially true in poorer countries. To end the hunger crisis and achieve food security and improve nutrition for all, the world must come together to provide the solutions needed to fight hunger and nutrition systems (Morgan). This is exactly the point at which the need to be a citizen of the world is felt more than ever. In my opinion, the disease caused by the virus at the same time weakens the body's metabolism and human beings need proper nutrition more than ever. Therefore, fair access to nutrition, especially in such circumstances, is the right of every human being and it is a public necessity. I agree with this quote that says, “No One Is Safe until Everyone Is Safe” (A Recovery…).
Reports indicate that due to the Corona crisis, a large number of children around the world have been affected by school closures and one in three are unable to access distance education. Because education is a key element in shaping the future of children, the international community must unite to help millions of vulnerable children, and this is only possible through a global citizen approach (Estellés). Another constant crisis that the world is constantly facing is the issue of climate change and the protection of the planet. Despite the fact that the world is currently grappling with the Corona crisis, the responsibility to protect the earth's resources to improve the welfare of the people and save the earth must be a constant concern of the world's citizen (Superstein). Finally, another major challenge is justice for all and ensuring a fair improvement and the equal rights of people around the world. As stated in “A Recovery Plan for the World” article, “The world was already struggling to leave no one behind. Now our challenge is even greater". Thus social justice, fairness and equality must be the focus of global citizen planning for the world. Governments need to re-engage with their previous commitments on gender equality and rethink new commitments to public health, especially women's health and economic empowerment in the post-Corona era (Estellés). Therefore, achieving a coordinated plan to deal with the effects of the Corona crisis requires a unity and collective effort by all governments and peoples with a global citizen approach.
In conclusion, the rapid spread of the global COVID-19 epidemic and its mutation in several versions poses a serious threat to human health around the world and has disrupted the world's past order. How countries and the international community make decisions and manage crises in these circumstances will shape the state of the world for years to come. I think according to the discussion of global citizens, we cannot consider the people of the world separately, because we humans, influence each other despite the geographical distance, whether we like it or not. Today we live in a situation where humanity needs to make a choice. Will we choose the path of division and isolation, or will we take the path of global solidarity? In my opinion, if we choose division, it will not only prolong the crisis, but also prepare the ground for bigger catastrophes. But if we choose global solidarity with the citizen-world approach, it is a victory not only against the corona virus, but also against future epidemics and crises that may afflict humanity in the 21st century. I think global challenges need global solutions. This is exactly the moment when the world needs to come together, and we need global citizenship approach more than ever. Just as a crisis carries risks, it can also bring opportunities. Hoping for the day when the storm passes and a new, stronger, more normal, more resilient and more stable world emerges.
Works Cited
"A Recovery Plan for the World." A Campaign to End COVID-19 for All and Kickstart a Global
Recovery in 2021. Global citizen.
Clark, Jenny. “Seven Steps to Become a Global Citizen." Volunteer and Intern Abroad since
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Calzada, Igor. “Will Covid-19 be the end of the global citizen?" From the community/data, digital and
Tech. March 19, 2020.
Estellés, Marta. “Global Citizenship Education after the COVID-19 crisis?" World Education Blog.
July3, 2020.
Harari, Yuval Noah. “The world after coronavirus | Free to read." Financial Times. March 20.2020.
Morgan, Blake. “Citizen Experience in a Post-COVID World." A Guide to Digital Service
Saperstein, Evan & Daniel. “Global Citizenship in a Covid-19 World." Global Citizenship Review.2021.
Schiffrin, Anya & Clifford, Hannah & Tumiatti, Kylie. “Saving Journalism: A Vision for the Post-Covid
World." The News Media (and) Development Network. Jan 1, 2021.