Global citizenship: From public support to active participation

Abstract

Globalisation is not something that has happened overnight. It is an ongoing process that, by trial and error, is part of human development. And yet, the last few decades have seen the unprecedented acceleration of changes in global relations. The fall of the Berlin Wall, the advent of the Internet and communication technology, the attacks of 9/11, the sudden awakening to the speed of climate change, the recent economic and monetary crises, the shifts in geo-political relations; these have all contributed to today’s world being very different from the world of 20-25 years ago. These changes are certainly (partly) positive: global trade in goods and services has seen enormous growth, global communication is much easier today, a large number of countries that used to be poor have developed into centres of economic growth and millions of people have been lifted out of poverty. But at the same time, increased growth has generated fierce competition for resources and production means, further burdening the environment and setting back even further those countries, communities and individuals that are already struggling to keep up with the new rat race.