Becoming Messengers for Peace

Global citizenship is about recognising our interconnectedness and taking responsibility for our impact on the world. Every day we can be an example and teach people about global issues and encourage them to act as messengers for peace. From my experience working alongside Jane Goodall and the Jane Goodall Institute there are countless ways we can foster a sense of global responsibility and cooperation. Peace education provides us with the attitudes, skills, and knowledge we need to become agents of change, both locally and globally. It encourages us to look at a wide range of issues, helping us gain a better understanding of our own identity within the local and global community, basic human rights, conflicts and their resolutions, and sustainable solutions for environmental and development issues.

Practicing our commitment

• Educate Yourself About Global Issues: Learn about global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and conflict. Use resources like books, documentaries, and online courses to deepen your understanding. Share this knowledge with others to raise awareness and inspire action.
• Participate in Global Initiatives: Get involved in international volunteer programs, campaigns, and projects that address global issues. Organisations like CISV offer opportunities to participate in local activities, international programmes, and community-based projects. Your participation can make a difference and help build a network of global citizens.
• Promote Peace and Cooperation: Encourage children to act as ambassadors of peace in their communities. Teach them the values of cooperation, empathy, and understanding. Work with areas of your local Chapter like Junior Branch to organise or participate in events that promote intercultural exchange and understanding, helping children make friends with people from different backgrounds and life experiences.
• Practice Peace, intentionally, daily: Ensure every day you make a conscious effort to commit to peace. Every action we do has an impact on this world, let’s make conscious choices daily to ensure we are working towards a peaceful world between us humans and the animals and nature that surround us.

Active Global Citizenship in CISV

Since 1951, CISV has been dedicated to fostering global citizenship and peace education through a variety of programs. Our local activities, international camps, and community-based projects provide opportunities for young people and adults from over 200 cities around the world to meet and develop friendships with people from different backgrounds and cultures. All our programmes have a peace education focus, inspiring participants to become active global citizens.

Our educational principles guide our approach, you can learn more about them in The Passport. Through these principles, we aim to educate and inspire action for a more just and peaceful world.

Global citizenship is not just a concept but a call to action. By educating ourselves and others, participating in global initiatives, and promoting peace and cooperation, we can all contribute to a better world. Join us at CISV in educating a generation of active global citizens who are committed to making a positive impact both locally and globally. CISV could not exist without our community of thousands of dedicated volunteers and staff operating worldwide.

By Tanya Pérez Echeverría