TakingITGlobal

Our Concerns Complexity means that expressions of global citizenship will differ according to how people are positioned in the world. Factors that influence and create the complexity include the diversity of people and cultures, existing inequalities (including within and through education systems), historical backgrounds, power structures between and within countries. These unequal relations of power result in inequities - systemic racism, neocolonialism, land dispossession, the gap between rich and poor, xenophobia, sexism, among others. For example, many people experience sexism due to the patriarchy, racism due to white supremacy, exploitation due to capitalism and so on. What makes global citizenship complex is the need to understand how power is manifested. It is necessary to be aware of power structures (like so-called "developed" countries benefitting from historical colonisation), root causes of the power structures that exist, connections between power structures and how power structures contribute to inequity. Therefore, we are concerned about a lack of awareness on the part of those in positions of privilege to address the deep power structures that tend to constrain the potential for a better life for others. Our Questions ● How do we make a complex concept such as global citizenship accessible? ● Are we perpetuating global issues in our goal to prevent/undo them? ● How can we encourage people to promote change without falling into the trap of simplistic, feel-good approaches?/ How can we conceive of change (or "making a difference") in a way that takes up rather than steps over complexity? ● Would introducing complexity and interdependencies at an earlier age and in an age-suitable way open up possibilities/ help to avoid getting invested in simple ideas?

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