Exemplary Global Citizens: A Profound Sense of Urgency

Today's post in the Exemplary Global Citizens series addresses part two of Dr. Arcaro's thesis of who can be considered an "exemplary global citizen":

Two, an exemplary global citizen has a profound sense of urgency. According to UNICEF, nearly 30,000 children under the age of five die every day from causes directly related to poverty - and that number is certainly higher just now with the famine crisis in the Horn of Africa. There is no time to waste. Engaged citizens must act now in response to chilling facts such as these.

What makes a sense of urgency? With any product of events, there are causes that get us there. Just as we bake a cake, there are ingredients and a process in creating the final outcome. Here are some of the ingredients that make the sense of urgency that characterize an exemplary global citizen.

Knowledge and awareness of issues: Before we feel the urge to act on an issue, we must know that it exists. We must consume global media from a variety of sources to get a broad base of knowledge, beyond that which the mainstream media feeds to us. How often do we hear about rape and war in the DRC and in Sierra Leone in the mainstream media? Unfortunately, not enough. Yet, if we look to international development news, we will understand how much of a crisis it is.

Belief that we can do something about issues: What good is this knowledge if we do not feel empowered to act? In learning about issues, global citizens seek out ways to help. They research NGOs and international organizations that mobilize effective groundwork. They are compelled to believe that their knowledge of the issues can mean something, because they can channel this energy in a positive fashion.

Acceptance that the world is not perfect: So many of us are content with our lives as they are. We follow the path of least resistance, because we can. We will not starve or be killed if we do differently. We are sheltered day to day from these issues of global significance. Yet, this is not how most of the world lives. We need to accept that our lives of contentment are ones of privilege, and that we do have a role to play in bringing contentment to others.

Know the consequences of inaction: If I do not write my Congressperson, or support the right organizations, or speak out and tell a friend about an issue, what will happen? When we know these facts, the urgency in action becomes much more real. If I can write the letter that helps convince my Congressperson to support development aid in the Horn of Africa, millions of lives can be saved. Why would I help those lives to die by leaving my pen idle?

Feeling that success is possible, through past accomplishments and current vision: Urgency is fostered when we have the means to the end. If there is a proven blueprint for success, we want to be a part of that vision than something that has no plan. We act urgently to support the idea with the plan and demand more of ideas that do not have plans.

Out of urgency, we can get a response. From the exemplary global citizen, this is a response of compassion and love. We have a role to play, and we must play it now - for our global neighbors. We are interdependent and must be ready to act when called. Well, here's your call. Don't hesitate to act on issues of global significance.