Citizenship in the World
Merit Badge Workbook
This workbook can help you but you still need to read the merit badge pamphlet.
This Workbook can help you organize your thoughts as you prepare to meet with your merit badge counselor.
You still must satisfy your counselor that you can demonstrate each skill and have learned the information.
You should use the work space provided for each requirement to keep track of which requirements have been completed,
and to make notes for discussing the item with your counselor, not for providing full and complete answers.
If a requirement says that you must take an action using words such as "discuss", "show",
"tell", "explain", "demonstrate", "identify", etc, that is what you must do.
Merit Badge Counselors may not require the use of this or any similar workbooks.
No one may add or subtract from the official requirements found in Boy Scout Requirements (Pub. 33216 – SKU 637685).
The requirements were last issued or revised in 2016 • This workbook was updated in May 2017.
James Timms
Scout’s Name:__________________________________________
253
Unit: __________________________________________
Counselor’s Name: ______________________________________
Counselor’s Phone No.: ___________________________
http://www.USScouts.Org
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http://www.MeritBadge.Org
Please submit errors, omissions, comments or suggestions about this workbook to: Workbooks@USScouts.Org
Comments or suggestions for changes to the requirements for the merit badge should be sent to: Merit.Badge@Scouting.Org
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Explain what citizenship in the world means to you and what you think it takes to be a good world citizen.
A citizen is a person who is a member of our country. As a citizen, you give your loyalty to the
U.S. government. In return, the government protects you and all your rights granted in the Bill of
Rights and the Constitution. If you were born in the United States, you are already a citizen.
it means being a person that volunteers , helps in any way possible, votes, follow all laws.
2. Explain how one becomes a citizen in the United States, and explain the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizenship.
How:
Be 18, Continuously/ physically live in the United States as a green card holder for a
certain number of years, Establish residency in the state or U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services district where they intend to apply, Have “good moral
character”, Be proficient in basic spoken and written English and demonstrate
knowledge of U.S. history and government, Swear allegiance to the United States
Rights:
Freedom to express yourself.,,Freedom to worship as you wish...Right to a prompt,
fair trial by jury...Right to vote in elections for public officials...Right to apply for
federal employment requiring U.S. citizenship...Right to run for elected
office...Freedom to pursue “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Workbook © Copyright 2017 - U.S. Scouting Service Project, Inc. - All Rights Reserved
Requirements © Copyright, Boy Scouts of America (Used with permission.)
This workbook may be reproduced and used locally by Scouting volunteers for training purposes consistent with the programs of
the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) or other Scouting and Guiding
Organizations. However it may NOT be used or reproduced for electronic redistribution or for commercial or other non-Scouting
purposes without the express permission of the U. S. Scouting Service Project, Inc. (USSSP).
Citizenship in the World
James Timms
Scout's Name: ________________________
Duties:
Respect the Rights, Beliefs and Opinions of Others: ...
Stay Informed of the Issues That Affect Your Community: ...
Serve in a Jury When Called Upon: ...
Participate in the Democratic Process: ...
Defend
if Need
Should Arise:
Supportthe
andCountry,
defend the
Constitution.
Obligations:
Stay informed of the issues affecting your community.
Participate in the democratic process.
Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws.
Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others.
Participate in your local community.
Discuss the similarities and differences between the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizens and the citizens of two
other countries.
Country
Rights:
Duties:
Obligations:
Country
Rights:
Duties:
Canada
Democratic rights (for example, the right to vote, Language rights, Equality
rights, Legal rights, Mobility rights, Freedom of religion, Freedom of expression,
Freedom of assembly and association
As a Canadian citizen, you also have responsibilities: To respect the rights and
freedoms of others. To obey Canada's laws. To participate in the democratic
process.
To respect the rights and freedoms of others
To obey Canada's laws
To participate in the democratic process
To respect Canada's 2 official languages and multicultural heritage
Iraq
will not be discriminated based on gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, origin,
belief/religion, and economic/social status. More rights that the citizens have
include having the right of personal privacy homes shall not be entered, searched,
or violated unless it has to do with the law
They are free to run for office or serve as appointed public officials for a time.
o They utilize a free press to speak out on local and national issues.
o They join labor unions, community groups, and business associations.
o They join private voluntary organizations that share their interests
Citizenship in the World - Merit Badge Workbook
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Citizenship in the World
James Timms
Scout's Name: ________________________
Obligations: One of these responsibilities is paying taxes and fees. Iraqis also have the
responsibility of voting. The men have to enroll in the armed forces to protect
Iraq. Citizens in Iraq also have the responsibility of respecting the rights, beliefs,
and opinions of others.
3. Do the following:
migrant caravan
a. Pick a current world event. ______________________________________________________________________
In relation to this current event, discuss with your counselor how a country's national interest and its relationship with
other countries might affect areas such as its security, its economy, its values, and the health of its citizens.
Security:
Chief Patrol Agent Karisch noted that Border Patrol has apprehended more
families illegally crossing the border in the first five months of fiscal 2019 than
during all of fiscal 2018. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) apprehended
more than 76,000 migrants across the border in February and said it was on track
to apprehend more than 100,000 in March.
Economy: President Trump has threatened to cut off or substantially reduce economic aid
to the governments of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador if they do not
prevent their people from joining the migrant caravan making its way to the
United States.
Values:
Honduras and El Salvador are among the deadliest places in the world that aren’t
war zones—Small Arms Survey ranked the two countries in the top 5 most
violent in the world, alongside Venezuela, Syria, and Afghanistan. Guatemala
was 17th, ahead of Colombia and Mexico. Repressive policing and in some
cases outright abuse by government security forces has done little to turn the tide.
Health:
Migrants who came with the caravan are suffering from respiratory infections,
tuberculosis, chickenpox and other serious health issues. There are three
confirmed cases of tuberculosis, four cases of HIV/AIDS and four separate cases
of chickenpox, the spokesman said.
At least 101 migrants have lice and multiple instances of skin infections, the
department’s data shows. There’s also a threat of Hepatitis outbreak due to
unsanitary conditions.
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Citizenship in the World
James Timms
Scout's Name: ________________________
b. Select a foreign country and discuss with your counselor how its geography, natural resources, and climate
influence its economy and its global partnerships with other countries.
Geography:
Venezuela
The coastal regions on the Caribbean feel balmiest, and the lowland areas
also enjoy a tropical climate. The main factor in temperature variance is
altitude. The mountainous Andean regions are significantly cooler, and
temperatures can drop to around 9°C (48°F). Venezuela's rainy season
runs from May to December.
Natural resources: Venezuela is known for its numerous natural resources which are
Diamonds, gold, natural gas, gold, bauxite, iron ore, hydroelectric power.
Climate:
Although Venezuela lies within the tropics, its local climates vary with
altitude from hot and humid lowlands to cool highlands. Temperatures in
Caracas average 72 °F (22 °C) and vary little from season to season.
About 32 inches (81 centimeters) of rain falls there each year, mainly
from April to December.
4. Do TWO of the following:
✔ a. Explain international law and how it differs from national law.

International law is a body of agreements, treaties, maritime conventions, etc. that pertain
to relations between countries and/or apply to activities in international waters.
National/federal laws are enforced internally by the relevant nation, and are not binding
outside the nation's borders.
Explain the role of international law and how international law can be used as a tool for conflict resolution.
International conflict resolution is concerned with processes of removing tensions
between states or maintaining them at levels consistent with continued peaceful pursuit by
states of their goals (individual or collective).
Conflict resolution through diplomatic negotiation realizes international law when it is
undertaken within the framework of existing international law. There are a number of
treaties providing for the obligations to engage in negotiation to prevent and to settle
conflicts or disputes by peaceful means.
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Citizenship in the World
James Timms
Scout's Name: ________________________
✔ b. Using resources such as major daily newspapers, the Internet (with your parent's permission), and news magazines,

observe a current issue that involves international trade, foreign exchange, balance of payments, tariffs, and free
trade.
International trade:
International trade is the exchange of capital, goods, and services
across international borders or territories. In most countries, such trade
represents a significant share of gross domestic product (GDP).
Foreign exchange:
International trade is the exchange of capital, goods, and services
across international borders or territories. In most countries, such trade
represents a significant share of gross domestic product (GDP).
Balance of payments: The balance of payments, also known as balance of international
payments and abbreviated B.O.P. or BoP, of a country is the record of
all economic transactions between the residents of the country and the
rest of the world in a particular period of time
Tariffs:
A tariff is a tax on imports or exports between sovereign states. It is a
form of regulation of foreign trade and a policy that taxes foreign
products to encourage or safeguard domestic industry. The tariff is
historically used to protect infant industries and to allow import
substitution industrialization.
Free trade:
Free trade is a policy to eliminate discrimination against imports and
exports. Buyers and sellers from different economies may voluntarily
trade without a government applying tariffs, quotas, subsidies or
prohibitions on goods and services. Free trade is the opposite of trade
protectionism or economic isolationism.
Explain what you have learned:
i learned a quick overview of the world economics. I have heard the terms but it is good to
see them written out.
Citizenship in the World - Merit Badge Workbook
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Citizenship in the World
James Timms
Scout's Name: ________________________
Include in your discussion an explanation of why countries must cooperate in order for world trade and global
competition to thrive.
global competition is where businesses and governments and individuals competes with
each other to get the consumer, business or government to get the best deal for their
product. This leads to to world trade. Where the imports (coming in resources) to turn
around and make and export (outgoing product). this is how you have world trade. This
also is effected by tariffs and taxes on the incoming product.
 c. Select TWO of the following organizations and describe their role in the world.
 1 The United Nations and UNICEF
✔ 2

The World Court
 3 Interpol
✔ 4

World Organization of the Scout Movement
 5 The World Health Organization
 6. Amnesty International
 7. The International Committee of the Red Cross
 8 CARE (Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere)
 9. European Union
World organization of the Scout movement
Role in the The World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) is an
international independent, worldwide, non-profit and non-partisan organization which
system:
serves the Scout Movement. Its purpose is to promote unity and the
understanding of Scouting's purpose and principles; while facilitating its
expansion and development.
Organization:
CARE
Role in the CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere, formerly
international Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe) is a major
system:
international humanitarian agency delivering emergency relief and
long-term international development projects. Founded in 1945, CARE is
nonsectarian, impartial, and non-governmental.
Organization:
Citizenship in the World - Merit Badge Workbook
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Citizenship in the World
James Timms
Scout's Name: ________________________
5. Do the following:
a. Discuss the differences between constitutional and nonconstitutional governments.
Consitutional governments must also be limited in power, follow a higher law, and have
constitutional stability. Nonconstitutional governments are dictatorships and absolute
monarchies. These are hard on the citizens because they don't have many rights.
b. Name at least five different types of governments currently in power in the world.
1. Democracy
2. Republic
3. Monarchy
4. Communism
5. Dictatorship
Citizenship in the World - Merit Badge Workbook
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Citizenship in the World
James Timms
Scout's Name: ________________________
✔ c. Show on a world map countries that use each of these five different forms of government.

6. Do the following:
a. Explain how a government is represented abroad and how the United States government is accredited to
international organizations.
Representation abroad:
The US usually has an embassy in the capitol or largest city with an ambassador and a
consul. In some countries there are many consuls. Within the global organizations, the US
is usually represented. (UN)
Accreditation to international organizations.
A government is represented abroad by an ambassador or a consul. The United States
government is accredited to international organizations based on the requirements of each
individual organization.
Citizenship in the World - Merit Badge Workbook
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Citizenship in the World
James Timms
Scout's Name: ________________________
b. Describe the roles of the following in the conduct of foreign relations.
1. Ambassador
An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high-ranking
diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to
another sovereign state or to an international organization as the
resident representative of their own government or sovereign or
appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic
assignment.
2. Consul
Consul was the title of one of the two chief magistrates of the
Roman Republic, and subsequently also an important title under
the Roman Empire. The title was used in other European city
states through antiquity and the Middle Ages, then revived in
modern states, notably in the First French Republic
3. Bureau of International
Information Programs
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International
Information Programs (IIP) supports the department's public
diplomacy efforts by providing and supporting the places,
content, and infrastructure needed for sustained conversations
with foreign audiences.
4. Agency for International The United States Agency for International Development is an
independent agency of the United States federal government that
Development
is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and
development assistance.
5. United States and
Foreign Commercial
Service
The United States Commercial Service is the trade promotion
arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade
Administration. CS is a part of the U.S. Foreign Service and its
commercial officers are diplomats
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Citizenship in the World
James Timms
Scout's Name: ________________________
c. Explain the purpose of a passport and visa for international travel.
When traveling between different countries, a passport is required to gain access and cross the
country's borders. The purpose of a passport is to show other nations that you are a legal
citizen of your particular nation of origin. Visas are another document designed to allow
people access into other countries.
7. Do TWO of the following (with your parent's permission) and share with your counselor what you have learned:
✔ a. Visit the website of the U.S. State Department. Learn more about an issue you find interesting that is discussed

on this website.
Looking North: Sharpening America's Arctic Focus
The Arctic is a area in which we need to protect. Finland is awesome in it protection and
how they helped Elinor Roosevelt they built her a house. with the door was being placed
as she touched down.Russia is creating a military presence in the Arctic. They make their
people be on foreign ships are in the area.
✔ b. Visit the website of an international news organization or foreign government, OR examine a foreign newspaper

available at your local library, bookstore, or newsstand. Find a news story about a human right realized in the
United States that is not recognized in another country.
News Story: https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-human-rights.html
The one I found interesting is that they say that Human rights to medical insurance. I
understand yes we should do more. But at the same time. If we aren't careful we will have
socialized medicine. Sounds great. But there are downside because you may have to wait
weeks which is normal around here. But would you like to wait MONTHS for a surgery
you need? my question is why do people with socialized medicine come to US for
surgery?
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Citizenship in the World

James Timms
Scout's Name: ________________________
c. Visit with a student or Scout from another country and discuss the typical values, holidays, ethnic foods, and traditions
practiced or enjoyed there.
Values:
Holidays:
Ethnic foods:
Traditions:
 d. Attend a world Scout jamboree.
 e. Participate in or attend an international event in your area, such as an ethnic festival, concert, or play.
When working on merit badges, Scouts and Scouters should be aware of some vital information in the current edition of
the Guide to Advancement (BSA publication 33088).Important excerpts from that publication can be downloaded from
http://usscouts.org/advance/docs/GTA-Excerpts-meritbadges.pdf.
You can download a complete copy of the Guide to Advancement from http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33088.pdf.
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