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What is a global citizen? It is someone who has an understanding of and appreciation for the
diversity amongst cultures and countries, who values the contributions that all of us make, and who
strives to ensure peace and equality for all. But it is also a person who takes steps to do less harm
through his or her own actions, not only to other people, but to the planet and its many inhabitants.
Global citizenry implies personal, social, and environmental responsibility of the highest order, and if
you want your kids to grow up to be global citizens, here are a few ways to set them on the right path.
- Pen pals. One of the best ways to help your children understand the size and scope of the
world we live in is to get them interacting on a personal level with kids across the globe. And finding
international pen pals is a lot easier these days thanks to the internet. Organizations like Students of the
World, International Pen Friends, and InterPals Pen Pals all have websites through which your children
can safely sign up for pen pals. And the best part is that many sites offer not only the ability to write
letters back and forth, but also to communicate via email or chat in some cases. It’s a brave new world
out there, and these forums provide safe platforms for your kids to interact with their peers around the
world. - Festivals. Depending on where you live (such as a metropolitan area), you may have a variety
of ethnic groups in residence, which means you could attend or even participate in all manner of
traditional festivals. Exposing your kids to these celebrations allows them to explore a new culture and
interact with new people in a fun and informative way so that they can learn to appreciate both the
differences that make other cultures beautiful and unique and the similarities that tie us all together as
citizens of the world. - Volunteer work. Becoming a global citizen isn’t just about interacting with other cultures; it
also pertains to helping those around you and even doing your part to protect the planet. In short,
compassion and activism are two traits that global citizens should possess. In order to address these
characteristics you should think about family volunteer projects that teach your kids how important
it is to do what they can to help those less fortunate. Building homes with Habitat for Humanity,
volunteering to read to senior citizens, and joining fundraisers like Relay for Life are all good options.
As for environmental efforts, you might join programs for tree planting or trash pickup, or even start a
neighborhood recycling effort. - Travel. There’s no better way to get a global perspective than to visit the places you can see
online and in magazines like National Geographic Kids. So if you have the time and money, plan the
occasional trip to foreign shores. There’s just nothing like going to the source to give your kids a truly
up-close and personal international experience. - Learn a new language. Whether you pick up a foreign language textbook, order a copy of
Rosetta Stone, or go for full immersion with a program like UniSpain, helping your kids to learn a new language can unlock doors that remain open for the rest of their lives. Language can not only give your kids the opportunity to visit other regions of the globe as more than just a tourist, but it can also help to expand their minds, change the way they think, and enhance their problem-solving abilities. They only stand to gain from this type of knowledge.
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