Core
Module
29
Global Citizenship and
Humanitarian Work
Foundation part: Consciousness of
Global Citizenship and its
Contribution to Humanitarian Work
 Why should we become “global
citizens”?
 As a global citizen, what efforts or
contributions
can we
make to
international humanitarianism? How
important is it?
1
Lead-in Activity: Why should we have
consciousness of global citizenship?
Living in Hong Kong, we are receiving information from all over the world every day. Have you
ever heard about the following stories? Have you ever paid attention to these issues? Read the
following articles and answer the questions below.
When choosing sports apparel and footwear, we tend to choose
fashionable styles of famous brands. In fact, most of these
products are manufactured by sweatshops in some developing
countries. Sialkot in Pakistan, for example, is one of the places
having the most sweatshops. It is estimated that there are about
25,000 children employed as child labour who work 80 hours a
week earning just about US$2, which is lower than the local
statutory minimum wage. Because of work, they cannot attend
regular schools. What is even more miserable is that they are
often beaten by the foremen as reported in the news.
Sweatshop
Sources: Xinhuanet & Oxfam
If you enjoy sunshine and beaches, Maldives (the paradise resort)
is definitely your first choice. But if you want to travel to the
country which is made up of corals, you will have to act earlier.
Most of the areas in Maldives are only 1.5 meters above sea level.
With the worsening of climate change, sea-levels keep rising,
which leads to the risk of the country being submerged. To avoid
such a situation, Mohamed Nasheed, the then president of
Maldives, at the 2009 United Nations (UN) Climate Change
Conference, urged every country to take responsibility and set
binding emission reduction targets to reduce greenhouse gases.
The submerging Maldives
Source: Summarising the reports of various newspapers
2
Buddhism is one of the main religions in both Hong Kong
and the mainland. Many Buddhists would worship both at
home or in a temple. However, in Afghanistan, Mullah
Omar, the highest ranking leader of Taliban, ordered in
2001 to destroy all symbols of idolatry in the whole
country, including the Buddha statues in the Bamiyan
valley, the highest standing Buddha statue in the world
carved in a cliff. Situated in the plateau on the northwest
of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, Buddha statues in
Bamiyan consists of two Buddha statues (55m and 38m
Destruction of Bamiyan
Buddha statues
high). They have a history of 1,500 years and are of high
historical and religious values. The move by Taliban
triggered discontent among a large number of people.
Source: Summarising the reports of various newspapers
Hong Kong is an affluent city where there would not be
any problem of food shortage basically. However, in the
poor African countries, because of wars and natural
disasters, famine has become a more serious problem and
showing the trend of spreading over other areas. In 2012,
officials of the UN said that famine in Africa had spread
from Kenya and Somalia of the East Africa to eight
countries of West Africa in one year. Currently, there are
18 million people, including 3 million children, are
suffering from hunger merely in West Africa. Worse still,
food prices have surged by 30 to 40% on average over the
last five years. Most people cannot afford the food sold in
Famine in Africa
the market, making the situation even worse.
Source: Summarising the reports of various newspapers
3
1.
With reference to Sources 1 to 4, how much do you care about the events taking place in other
places of the world? Try to fill in the table below and explain.
Source 1: Sweatshop
Index of care:
Reason:
Source 2: The submerging Maldives
Index of care:
Reason:
Source 3: Destruction of Bamiyan
Buddha statues
Index of care:
Reason:
Source 4: Famine in Africa
Index of care:
Reason:
4
Worksheet 1: The consciousness and quality of global citizens
U.S. tycoon Bill Gates
Hello, I’m Bill Gates, a U.S. entrepreneur, I am also a software engineer and the chairperson of
Microsoft. My corporation was established in 1975. Over the past 26 years, the corporation has
assured its dominating position in the industry of computer software in the world and my fortune
has come out top. In 1996, my wife and I established the “Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation”,
endeavouring to eliminate uneven distribution of resources and to improve the life of human
beings. In 2008, I donated my fortune of US$58 billion to the Foundation, hoping that I can
contribute to the world in a positive way. I devote myself to charity work because the poverty of
Africans really shocked me when I went travelling there with my wife and other people in the past.
This prompted me to establish the “Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation” which endeavours to
improve the health of poor people, allowing people infected with various diseases such as AIDS
and pulmonary tuberculosis in the third world to be treated by medication. We know that health
problems make people poorer, and poverty will in turn worsen people’s health. We hope to stop the
vicious circle which makes people living in the plight of illness and poverty.
Source: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation website, http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Pages/home.aspx
Geneticist Dr.
David Suzuki
Hello, I’m David Suzuki, a Japanese-Canadian and a media worker. By
hosting a TV programme about environmental protection named “The
Nature of Things”, I have aroused the awareness of Canadians. I have
been educating the public about environmental protection for over 40
years. I like writing and have published more than 50 books. In 1986, I
was awarded the UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of
Science. In 1990, I established the “David Suzuki Foundation” and have
since been endeavouring to seek innovative solutions to help protect the
nature. Our Foundation further encouraged the Canadian government to
enforce the regulations set in the UN Kyoto Protocol to reduce the
emissions of greenhouse gases.
Source: David Suzuki Foundation website, http://www.davidsuzuki.org/
5
Hello, I’m Ahtisaari. I was born in 1937. Starting from 1978, I
represented UN to work for peace in Namibia, Africa. In 1990, it
became an independent country. I was the President of Finland
from 1994-2000. Upon leaving the office, I set up an NGO named
Crisis Management Initiative which aims to promote peace. In
2005, we facilitated the peace process between the Government of
Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement and the resulting
agreement ended the conflict which lasted for almost 30 years.
Starting from the end of 2005, I returned to Balkans and
2008 Nobel Peace Prize
laureate Martti Ahtisaari
represented UN to work for peace in Kosovo. In early 2007, I
submitted a settlement proposal to the UN Secretary General
which suggested that “Kosovo shall be a multi-ethnic society,
governing itself democratically”. Having been awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize, I hope to cooperate with more people to keep the
world peaceful.
Source: Crisis Management Initiative website, http://www.cmi.fi/
1.
With reference to Sources 1-3, what international issues are the above people most concerned
about? And what have they done for these issues?
International
issues
concerned
The work that they have done
Bill Gates
6
David Suzuki
Martti Ahtisaari
2.
What qualities do you think the above people have that enable them to continue the meaningful
work? What inspiration have they brought you?
Concept of global citizenship and factors contributing to its emergence, the
distinction between a global citizen and a citizen of an individual country
Global citizenship is not a brand new concept. In ancient Greece, philosopher Socrates said “I am not
an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.” Another philosopher Diogenes had a similar
saying “I am a citizen of the world.” Until now, we are still exploring the identity as a global citizen
because everything about us, no matter physiology, society, economy, environment, science and
7
technology, politics and religions, is global. Our understanding of life, humanity, society and the
world in many aspects is also beyond the boundaries of countries. Our life is global. Therefore, as a
person living in the world and a global citizen, we are concerned about every area in the world
regardless of national boundaries, and learn to get along with people from other places of the world
and live together.
The main difference between global citizens and citizens of individual countries is that citizens of
individual countries have geographical restrictions; their consideration, responsibilities and concerns
are all about the citizens in their own communities. Therefore, when citizens of their own country are
in conflict with those from other countries, they will stand by the side of those from their own
country and may therefore be in conflict with those from other countries. In contrast, the concerns of
global citizens are not limited by geographical and racial factors. Their concerns are the development
of the whole world, the establishment of universal values, and providing assistance to the needy.
Consciousness and quality of global citizenship
Global citizens should have the quality of understanding the world, respecting diversity, upholding
universal values, and caring about and participating in global affairs so as to assist the development
of the world.
1.
Understanding the world: Global citizens should care about events that take place around the
world to understand the living conditions of different people and the problems facing them. We
should listen carefully and widen our horizon.
2.
Respecting diversity: We should respect the diversity between different cultures, accept diverse
cultures, and ensure that people from different cultural backgrounds can get along
harmoniously.
3.
Upholding universal values: As a global citizen, we should uphold universal values such as
justice, equality, freedom and human rights to ensure people from different places of the world
are treated fairly so as to improve the life of human beings.
4.
Caring about and participating in world affairs: Starting from oneself, a global citizen has a
responsibility to actively participate in and care about global affairs. One should encourage
oneself and others to change and care about the people around us.
In short, in order to build the consciousness and quality of global citizenship, we must
understand the diversity between people from different places of the world, and learn to respect
different cultures and conduct exchanges with each other. By thinking from others’ perspective, we
can avoid stereotypes which would result in conflicts and disputes.
8
Worksheet (2): How do intergovernmental bodies and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) promote
consciousness and quality of global citizenship?
: The following are the information of events
held by some international organizations
Every trailwalker, are you
ready? This year’s Oxfam
Trailwalker will be held soon.
Now, it is your chance if you wish to join
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). There are
still many people in the world who need
emergency medical assistance, especially
those living in regions that often have
conflicts or in post-conflict situations.
Oxfam Trailwalker is a large-scale fundraising
hiking event held by Oxfam. It attracts about 10,000
people including walkers, support team members
and volunteers to participate every year. The
participants’ target is to complete a 100km trail
within a 48-hour time limit. The fund raised will all
be used for supporting Oxfam’s various poverty
alleviation and emergency relief and advocacy work
to improve the life of poor people from different
places and of different gender. Take action and join
now!
Source: Oxfam
MSF rescue workers always need to stay in
an unsafe environment. Rescue workers need
to face certain risks and dangers when
working in those regions. The life of
participating in rescue mission is full of
challenges but also full of joy, and various
experiences can be obtained.
Source: MSF
Each of us can do his/her
part to save the planet every
day. A small choice can
bring a big difference!
Greenpeace will give you some tips on green
living. Everyone just needs to refer to the tips and
will be able to truly experience green living in
everyday life. They also tell you how to find out
the real causes of environmental issues concerned
us and how to improve the environment through
various channels, allowing each person to become
an active participant of daily environmental
protection activities and take part in solving global
environmental problems.
United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) promotes cooperation
between countries through education, science and
culture. It carries out prospective research and
knowledge development regularly to enhance
people’s general respect for justice, rule of law,
human rights and freedom. In addition, UNESCO
also promotes people’s awareness of and concern
for the conservation of world cultural and natural
heritage.
Source: Greenpeace
Source: UNESCO
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1.
Try to match up the following international organizations with their aims and scope of work.
International
Organization
Oxfam
Aims and scope of work

‧
 It‧ is
a
non-profit
making
non-governmental
organization which engages in international medical
humanitarian-aid work. It provides emergency medical
aid to people affected by armed conflicts. If there are
outbreaks of disease or natural disasters, and some
medical systems are overloaded, it will also provide
medical assistance to the affected groups.
UNESCO

‧
 It‧is dedicated to create conditions for dialogue among
civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect
for commonly shared values. It hopes that the world
can achieve global visions of sustainable development
encompassing observance of human rights, mutual
respect and the alleviation of poverty through this
dialogue.
Greenpeace

‧
 It‧is an independent international development and
humanitarian organization working against poverty
and related injustice. It believes that much poverty is
caused by injustice and that poverty alleviation
requires economic, social and structural change.
MSF

‧
 It‧is a global environmental protection organization. It
is dedicated to promote active changes and to protect
global environment and world peace through actions.
It believes that the fragile Earth needs changes and
actions have to be taken.
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2.
With reference to Source 1, how do the following organizations promote consciousness and
quality of global citizenship?
Organization
Ways to promote consciousness and quality of global citizenship
Oxfam
UNESCO
Greenpeace
MSF
11
How do intergovernmental bodies and international
consciousness and quality of global citizenship?
NGOs
promote
Intergovernmental organizations (such as the United Nations) and international NGOs (such as World
Vision, Oxfam, MSF, etc.) all actively promote consciousness and quality of global citizenships
through different ways.
1.
Rescue: International organizations carry out humanitarian-aid work for the people affected by
disasters directly and help them with the recovery in the aspects of medical care, sanitation, and
community building, etc. The aim is to help improve the lives of the people.
2.
Prevention: International organizations also conduct prevention work and precautionary
measures in regions in need in order to improve the lives of residents and help prevent the
impact from disasters, e.g., improving the drainage systems, building up disaster warning
systems, and promoting social development.
3.
Education and publicity: International organizations also educate people about the general
knowledge on disasters in order to strengthen people’s ability to deal with emergencies and to
reduce casualty rates. Some international organizations will conduct policy advocacy to propose
a development direction to improve the lives of people of the world. They try to lead the world
to make a change.
Through the above work, intergovernmental organizations and international NGOs connect people all
over the world for them to care about and help each other. The organizations help to allocate and
distribute world resources to people in need. They help the whole human society to improve the
quality of life and facilitate overall development. In the course of work, intergovernmental
organizations and international NGOs also publicize the significance of the international
humanitarian work. They promote the consciousness and quality of global citizenship so that more
people will take part in it to achieve a positive mutual influence.
12
Worksheet (3): Possible efforts and contribution of an individual
global citizen to international humanitarian relief work
: The following is the information about some Hong Kong
people participating in the humanitarian relief work on
the mainland
Ms Lai Wing-kun, Joyce is a nurse who devotes herself to caring for her patients.
For the sake of the patients to receive the best possible treatment, Ms Lai always
pays great effort in caring for the sick and injured with the aim of alleviating their
sufferings.
In 1994, Ms Lai first participated in humanitarian relief work. She went to remote
areas on the mainland and helped provide orthopedic surgeries to orphans and
poverty-stricken individuals. Until now, Ms Lai still goes to the mainland at least
once every year to provide free medical care to the needy, and assists in purchasing
medical equipment and instruments.
Dr Pang Chi-wang, Peter has been actively participating in volunteer humanitarian
work since 1999. He regularly provides free cleft repair surgeries to patients in
underdeveloped areas. Dr Pang also actively promotes health education on the
mainland and in Hong Kong.
Many people have cleft lips and palates in the world. They face discrimination and
have difficulties in integrating into society because of their appearance and inability
to speak properly. Dr Pang uses his abilities as a plastic surgeon to provide surgical
repairs to the needy born with clefts, and safeguard the dignity of patients.
13
Mr Wong Chi-hung, Percy was previously a Hong Kong based social worker.
However, on a 2003 trip to Jinan, Shandong Province, he discovered a severe lack of
support services for people with mental disabilities on the mainland and that
discrimination against them was also serious. Therefore he established a social
service organization in Shandong. Its target group has been extended from mentally
disabled adults and their families to battered women and orphans with disabilities.
He believes the standards of social workers need to be raised so as to improve the
life of the underprivileged in poor areas in the long run. He has voluntarily helped
Shandong establish training systems which fit in social needs for their social
workers.
Source: Hong Kong Humanity Award 2011 website, http://www.redcross.org.hk/ha/ha2011/index_e.html
1.
With reference to Source 1, what are the contributions of the above people’s work? What is
worth learning?
14
2.
Try to set an action plan for yourself for helping an international organization to perform
humanitarian relief work.
International organization to be supported:
Service target(s):
Mode of support:
3.
Why do you propose the plan? Please explain.
4.
What quality of global citizenship should we have in order to make the above plan successful?
15
Possible efforts and contribution of an individual global citizen to international humanitarian
relief work as well as the importance of consciousness of global citizenship to the world
As a global citizen, we can participate in the international humanitarian relief work actively. No
matter offering assistance with your professional knowledge, financial support or in other ways, it is
helpful to the world’s development. Different humanitarian relief organizations need our
participation and support, including voluntary work, sponsorships and donations, assisting in
publicity and promotion campaigns, etc. Thus, the humanitarian relief work can be sustainable, and
help the needy people and the underprivileged in the world. Through each person’s participation and
support, and everyone carrying out the aim of humanitarian relief work personally and doing his/her
own part to build a caring world, the world can have a sustainable development and people can live
with a lasting peace.
16
Concept map of Global Citizenship
and Humanitarian Work
Rescue
Prevention
Education and
publicity
How do international
organizations
promote quality of
global citizenship?
Global citizenship
Personal
quality
International organizations
How do global citizens
participate in international
humanitarian relief work?
Understanding the world
Respecting diversity
Upholding
universal values
Volunteer
services
Sponsorship
and donation
Participating and caring
17
Assisting in
publicity and
promotion
Carrying out the
aims of
humanitarian
work personally