What is a Global Citizen?

“I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.” – Socrates

A global citizen is an individual who identifies not as a citizen of one nation, but as a citizen of the world.

A global citizen heeds Martin Luther King Jr.’s warning that, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” and actively fights to defend the basic human rights of every human being on the planet.

A global citizen understands that solving the world’s greatest challenges and ending extreme poverty will require unrelenting collective action from ordinary people around the world.

Empowering global citizens and providing a global citizenship perspective is a critical aspect of GIVE’s mission. By directly engaging our volunteers with people in our host communities and the larger world community, we aim to put a human face to the global crisis of extreme poverty. These eye-opening experiences and lasting connections inspire our volunteers to continue acting on behalf of the developing world when they return home. Beyond just inspiration, we also provide year-round support and guidance to GIVE alumni who want to increase their impact.

Photo is of past volunteer, Jennifer Lucas, pursuing traveling and serving abroad in Peru after GIVE.

GIVE Global Citizens in Action

A global citizen understands that solving the world’s greatest challenges and ending extreme poverty will require unrelenting collective action from ordinary people around the world.

Sally ran the Great Wall of China Marathon to raise $8,000 that helped fund a critical freshwater system in Sop Chem, Laos, a rural village of more than 300 people! With Sally’s efforts, there are now over 55 families who have access to clean, safe, accessible drinking water.

After Joe was gifted dozens of hand-woven fabrics from local women in Sop Chem, he returned their kindness tenfold by selling the fabrics at an auction back home and raised more than $3,000 for the Sop Chem women’s co-op!