A Commonwealth Citizenship
Posted by ZoeWare - 05/03/10 at 05:03 pm
In the midst of economic globalization and ecological confrontations, national identity can be most valued, perhaps, in many different situations, even essential.
In the middle of organizations such as the United Nations, and the European Union, and even international religious bodies such as the World Council of Churches, identity and questions about who we are as a people and how we are to be as citizens are critical for discernment, discretion and direction. And thus, citizenship, within the Commonwealth of Nations, could be a valuable a subject of debate and discussion.
The Commonwealth is host of nations who claim good government, justice, and human rights as essential in the context of international relationships. As technology provides the means of easy international mobility like never before, who we are as global citizens, or at least, citizens of the commonwealth, needs to be considered with personal awareness along side of national claims and the place where we are in the world among all peoples.
How do we cross borders with integrity and honesty? How do we intersect with those who claim a different geographic territory as exclusively belonging to them with respect and dignity? What standards do we follow when boundaries tend to divide rather than bring different understandings together in harmony and peace, in fairness and wellbeing?
How can a deep level of appreciation and acceptance be achieved for the plurality of various traditions, legends, narratives, customs, colours , cultures, and creeds?
In what ways are policies and proclamations of immigration impacted with a visible and tangible form of a common citizenship of the Commonwealth?
The Commonwealth is a vibrant and growing association of states working together in a spirit of cooperation, partnership and understanding. With the vision and wisdom of the Harare Declaration, a common citizenship among all peoples of the Commonwealth could be possible.
David Spence, RCS Council of Mainland British Columbia
Category : Mobility & Exchange
Tags: citizenship, Commonwealth, mobility
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April 15th, 2011 at 12:59 am
Today was rather ironic, I had to fill in a visitors visa for a country that I have stayed in for several years. All my family are residents here. My family and I are of good character,and have assimilated into and this country know as New Zealand, primarily made of of migrants from Europe and the UK, along side the indigenous and pacific islanders. How strange is this unjust system, know as immigration who’s parents and grandparents originated from the United kingdom, be allowed to make decisions about home, life and family. The word bigotry spring to mind, as the family they probably originated from, most likely have come from same place as their grandparents. At the end of the form, it asks the question are you from an English speaking country, and what nationality are you from. Ironic really