Three Different Explanations of Global Citizenship - Essay Example

RUNNING HEAD: GLОBАL СITIZЕNSHIР АND WОRLD НЕАLTH ОRGАNIZАTIОN Global Сitizеnshiр and World Неаlth Оrgаnizаtiоn Name Institution Date Critically Analysis of Three Different Explanations of Global Citizenship Introduction The concept of global citizenship has, in the recent years, turned out to be more evident and diverse across the globe. According to Schattle (2007), the idea might have stunned some individuals/people who view it as new and untried idea. However, in reality, the many descriptions and practices associated with this concept reveals an ancient tradition that can be dated back to ancient Greece. Global citizenship, thus, stretches out from a much older tradition than national citizenship, which coincided with the French and the American revolutions of the 18th century, as a consequence, increasing the level of democratic citizenship from the earliest and medieval city states. On the other hand, even as individuals all over the globe continue to increasingly recognize the idea of global interdependence, global citizenship is normally disregarded by political actors and scholars who view the idea as impracticable. Nonetheless, whether the thoughts argued by the skeptics of the global citizenship concept are true or false remains an issue of great dispute. This particular paper therefore intends to provide a critical analysis of at least three different explanations of global citizenship. In additional, the paper will also examine how effectively the actions and positions of the World Health Organization (WHO) fulfill the role of responsible global citizenship based on the analysis. As highlighted by Schattle (2007), the concept of global citizenship currently suggests more dynamic forms of participation and affiliation than merely defined models of national citizenship, which emphasized on legal standings and passport controls. According to Green (2012), individuals normally view themselves as global citizens based on various formative experiences with life, as a result, they have varying interpretations as regards what global citizenship means. In view of this, one of the significant key element of global citizenship that can provide an explanation of global citizenship can be based on the argument that the practice is effected mainly locally through participation in global issues, implying that there exists a link between local and global (Green (2012). According to Keeping & Shapiro (2008), this description employs the language of connection/involvement as well as action, with an objective of moving the humanity towards better social justice all the dimensions human lives, including the entire world. The description thus expresses the concept through involvement among the various communities in which an individual is part of, at the local, national as well as global level. It generally entails the right to question authority as well as the power to act, argue and deliberate with an intention of changing the globe. On the other hand, even with the increasing public recognition of this concept, global citizenship is often rejected by skeptics who contend that the concept is impractical, especially with the nonexistence of an overarching global government or an interconnected set of governing institutions that are globally acknowledged. According to Schattle (2007), such skeptics often contend that states/nations remain the sole basis of political attachment and loyalty, as well as legal authority of borders. Therefore, they argue that significant participation in political can only be found within small scale communities which are motivate as well as accountable citizens identify and trust one another enough to identify and promote shared interests through sustained public deliberation. Another key element of global citizenship that can also provide a description of global citizenship can also be based on what individuals feel towards the rest of the globe, hence the acknowledgment of world interdependence. According to Keeping & Shapiro (2008), sometimes what individuals think is merely an outlook they portray towards the other parts of the globe. This implies that the wisdom that creates courage to disown differences and to appreciate and make every effort to understand individuals of diverse cultures, and to learn from meeting with them. Keeping & Shapiro (2008) argues that this is a significant element of global citizenship as this perception develops individuals’ understanding of interconnectedness of all life and living, hence the consideration to uphold an imaginative empathy that goes beyond an individual’s immediate surrounding, and eventually extending to those who are suffering in other parts of the globe. Contrary to the above, however, skeptics of global citizenship disregard this particular concept arguing that the self- described global citizens and the organizations advocating for global citizenship do not in reality represent the general outlook of compassion. Instead they argue that nationalism is the only powerful basis of political loyalty and obligation within the whole world today. They further argue that even within the globes most prosperous and technologically sophisticated nations, the global citizenship concept has yet to be embraced. A description of global citizenship can also be offered based on the ethical core of global citizenship, which is also a significant element of global citizenship. According to Shanahan (2011), this concept has been argued to be a moral/ethical disposition. Shanahan (2011) argues, for instance, that at the centre of present debates surrounding this concept are questions such as which societies individuals belong, what values to uphold, how well we ought to exercise our civic and political rights, as well as to whom we owe responsibility and why. Andrzejewski & Alessio (1999) therefore argue that since everything is interconnected, individuals ought to take their global as well as other significant impacts into account. As such, since all human beings are interconnected, the varieties of individuals to whom we may be having responsibilities are global in scope. Therefore, without a doubt, we ought to have moral/ethical obligations to one another, which should flow from our interconnectedness. Global citizenship thus calls for the need for a positive intervention as well as interactions so that universal rights are upheld, and nobody disadvantaged by a mere fact of their race, religion or other beliefs. On the other hand, skeptics of global citizenship have reacted differently to this view arguing that idea of global citizenship associated with a global-state is remote and culturally bland.Infact, the concept is not yet a legal concept. Parekh (2003) contends that in this environment, a global citizen without connection to a particular political community would therefore be without a political home. Schattle (2012) therefore suggest a globally-oriented citizenship that recognizes the reality as well as the significance of the political communities, while also acknowledging that moral concerns of citizens lie on global level. How effectively the actions and positions of the world health organization (who) fulfill the role of responsible global citizenship The World Health Organization (WHO) is an agency of the United Nations charged with the responsibility of directing as well as co-coordinating health. As such, the World Heath Organization has a significant role within the field of international public health policy and international public health. Since its initiation in the year 1948, this organization has attained significant achievements, most outstandingly, the eradication of smallpox in the year 1979, which has been argued to be one of its greatest humanitarian achievement of the 20th century. The organization has since then evolved from an agency primarily aimed at controlling infectious ailments to a more holistic approach to the enhancement of health portrayed in the 1970s slogan, “Health for All” (Clift, 2013). According to Ruger & Yach (2009), the 21st century international health landscape calls for an effective international action regardless of globalization of information,ideas,travel,trade,human rights and disease. The modern global era has become more plural, consequently, requiring various key actors to coordinate efforts and priorities towards achieving common goals. In addition, globalization has come up with various challenges that are significant and beyond individual state’s capacity to handle. The World Health Organization has therefore the mandate to engage in the international health arena with a stronger hold on its position in integrating, convening as well as coordinating the international health agenda. In view of this, the actions and positions of the World Health Organization (WHO) can be argued to fulfill the role of responsible global citizenship since the practice of the concept of global citizenship is effected its involvement in global issues, with an objective of moving the humanity towards better social justice in all the dimensions of human lives, globally. The actions and positions of the World Health Organization thus expresses the concept through its involvement among the various communities in which an individual is part of, at the local, national as well as global level. As a public health agency, the World Health Organization is also charged with the responsibility of defending the principles of equality, equity and human dignity at the international/global level. Therefore, as an international agency, it has duty to all the people of world, particularly those perceived as most vulnerable. The organization, in line with the obligations contained in the United Nations Charter, believes that every individual has an essential human right to attain the highest standard of health. It therefore holds a lawful belief that any state, however resource constrained, ought to provide essential services to its entire people as honouring the right to health is an essential condition for any given community to function. Gostin et.al (2010) further argues that the World Health Organization believes that if people cannot gain an access to the health services they cannot be able to contribute to the economic as well as social wellbeing; as a consequence, they will feel ignored by their communities, nations and international bodies. In general, the World Health Organization views the right to health as very key to ensuring human security in addition to protecting individuals from critical and persistent threats to livelihoods, human lives and dignity, and to improving human fulfillment. In view of this, the actions and positions of the World Health Organization (WHO) can be argued to be fulfilling the role of responsible global citizenship since the practice of the concept of global citizenship is seen through the WHO’s role acknowledging global interdependence. The organization as highlighted in its action and position generally portrays an understanding of interconnectedness of all life and living, hence the consideration to uphold empathy that goes beyond individuals’ immediate surrounding, and eventually extending to those who are suffering in other parts of the globe. As highlighted by Faden & Shebaya (2010), in its central focus, public health is mainly concerned with protecting as well as promoting the health of populations. A significant role of the World Health Organization is also be based on the ethical/moral role it has on global human population in as far as its collective action to enhance and protect the health of the general world population, exemplified by its activities, is concerned. According to Faden & Shebaya (2010), one aspect of public health ethics is that it views the ethical basis of public health as a mandate to maximize welfare. The World Health Organization is an important organisation that defines numerous elements of responsible global citizenship. In this view, it sets up the main challenge of public health as balancing individuals liberties with the development of better health outcomes. In general, just as global citizenship demands a positive intervention so that universal rights are upheld, the World Health Organization is no doubt playing its moral/ethical role in its collective action to enhance and protect the health of the general world population, as exemplified by its activities. Therefore, in view of the above, the actions and positions of the World Health Organization (WHO) can be argued to be fulfilling the role of responsible global citizenship. Conclusion In conclusion, the concept of global citizenship may currently not have a lawful significance as highlighted above. Possibly it never will. However, in my opinion, the expression often plays a significant role as a rallying cry for ethnically-motivated action on issues affecting the globe as a whole. Besides, the concept is more likely to play a significant role in as far as calling for burdensome commitments on the fortunate as well as more powerful (in both local and internal law) to share out with those who are not as blessed. In addition, from the analysis, it is clear that concept is applicable to organization situations such as the World Health Organization, in this context. It is clearly seen that the role of the World Health Organization clearly fits within the various aspects of global citizenship. Nonetheless, one cannot rule out the fact that the role played by global citizenship in this ever-changing political landscape is a gloomy one. On the other hand, the fact that there is an increasingly expanding body of global citizens as well as their influence within the globe’s political stage, points out on the requirement to observe as well as study individuals in earnest. Otherwise, the effort to develop the definition of global citizenship is in itself is a small step towards acknowledging their presence and influence much better. References Andrzejewski, J & Alessio, J. (1999).Education for Global Citizenship and Social Responsibility, Vol. 1, No. 2 Clift, C. (2013). The Role of the World Health Organization in the International System Faden, R & Shebaya, S. (2010).Public Health Ethics, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Retrieved on April 14, 2013 from < http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/publichealth-ethics/> Gostin, L.O, Ooms, G & Heywood, M. (2010). The Joint Action and Learning Initiative on National and Global Responsibilities for Health, World Health Report, Background Paper, 53, Retrieved on April 14, 2013 from Green, M.F. (2012).Global Citizenship: What are we talking about and why does it Matter? Proquest Central Hope, J. (2010).What are the main functions of the World Health Organization? Keeping, J & Shapiro, D. (2008).Global Citizenship: What is it, and what are our ethical obligations as global citizens? Retrieved on April 14, 2013 from http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/files/pdf/Global%20Citizenship_LawNow_jk_ds0708.pdf Parekh, B. (2003).Cosmopolitanism and Global Citizenship, Review of International Studies, 29: 3-17 Ruger, J.P & Yach, D. (2009).The Global Role of the World Health Organization, Journal of Global Health Governance, Vol 2, Iss 2, Retrieved on April 14, 2013 from Schattle, H. (2008).Practices of Global Citizenship, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Schattle, H. (2012).Globalization and Citizenship, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Shanahan, S.E (2011).Ethics, Leadership & Global Citizenship, Retrieved on April 14, 2013 from Read More