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Part B: Global Citizenship Action Plan

The living conditions of many people continue to deteriorate due to the socioeconomic exploits of many others. As such, thousands are silently experiencing challenges which they can barely handle. Resources are becoming scarce, the economy is becoming impacted, and millions are struggling with hunger and a lack of other basic needs. Fortunately, many findings show that the best course of action at this point is to consider sustainability. This is a goal which many organizations and countries from all over the globe should consider in an attempt to resolve the current socioeconomic crisis.

Everyone is a Global Citizen Leader: Embrace your Responsibility

There are some stakeholders who have already embraced this progressive vision. That is why there are noticeable efforts in relation to new policies and regulations such as the carbon capping in the United Kingdom and China, as well as the recycling of plastic materials for 3-D Printing (Unruh, 2018). Although some of these global actors are already making noticeable steps in support of sustainability, it is evident that this system alone will not be sufficient to offer the entire human race the protection it seeks. Although this is a controversial statement, the sentiments can still be recognized in various observations by scholars such as Maak and Pless (2009).

According to these experts, major organizations and countries alone cannot effectively resolve the global challenges on their own. Corporations are often expected to deliver “more” in terms of engaging in practices and operations that will promote the safeguarding of the human race. Unfortunately, stakeholders do not trust that these goals can indeed be delivered, which further impacts the process. By simply inviting doubt into the process, the stakeholders are presenting a barrier since not much will be done to promote the required activities. Also, the act of placing all the responsibility on other parties prevents individuals from taking action themselves.

There are many stakeholders who have enough resources that that can be utilized to create a future where corporations operate as global citizens (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 2015). They include common citizens, industry pundits, policymakers, and small-to-medium-sized economic entities. To create change, it does not necessarily mean that one must be in the board to make decisions for the billion-dollar corporation. On the contrary, it is important to understand other measures that can be taken to trigger the much needed outcome. It is important to note that global citizen leadership is not a task reserved for giant corporations such as Amazon Inc., Coca-Cola, and Nike alone. The skeptical stakeholders should also assume their responsibility by doing the little they can to foster the transition they desire rather than just naysaying.

Also, Maak and Pless (2009) argue that as much as an organization like Nike cannot control the working conditions of workers in low-budget labour economies such as China and India, it can compel its suppliers and distributors to operate within specific standards if they are to cooperate in the long-run. This scenario proves that even the least powerful stakeholder in the chain can participate in the same by setting standards that ought to be met by corporations and governments. When placed into perspective, this kind of global citizen leadership can be leveraged by any member of society (Her, 2018). Employees have the responsibility of speaking up whenever they note that their company is not operating under the expected standards. Just because they are on the lower end of the hierarchy does not mean that they are not responsible for the outcome. This is why it is argued that speaking is also an act of leadership since through their voices, these employees on the lower part of the hierarchy will influence those at the top (Blanchard & Sider, 2021).

Employees can choose to work together to refuse any changes that will further deteriorate the socioeconomic environment that they exist in. As global citizens, these employees should be able to understand their global rights and responsibilities. Therefore, as leaders, they should be ready to take action where needed since they will also understand that local action will result in global change (Maak & Pless, 2009). Therefore, placing the responsibility for sustainability on the government and big corporations, the employees will be guilty of neglecting their roles as global citizens. Hence, since all are leaders, it is imperative that they all contribute towards the same goal.

It may be easy to assume that individual efforts towards sustainability will be too little to lead to change. However, this is not true since the little effort will have significant outcome especially when many others also take responsibility as global citizen leaders (Her, 2018). Bridging the gap between sectors and countries will easily be achieved when it starts at the individual level. If the expected changes are indeed to be experienced in the near future, then people must acknowledge today that they are all citizens of one interdependent world (Blanchard & Sider, 2021). This world is linked by the mutual fellowship and pursuit of mutual benefits. Therefore, if some refuse to cooperate in the current fight against socioeconomic challenges, then it will not be possible to achieve the goal. Also, if all participate and the goal is met, then everyone will benefit.

As leaders, individuals have a role to play in taking action whenever mistakes are about to be made. If the government is about to pass a law that will only extend the socioeconomic problems rather than resolve them, the citizens of the country have a responsibility to speak up and push the policy makers to prevent the mistake (Kramsch, 2019). If such measures are not taken, then organizations and governments will continue acting selfishly since they have nowhere to be accountable to. That will further worsen the situation, as well as the blame game that is currently ensuing. In addition, when everyone has taken on a sense of personal responsibility to the current challenges, then organizations will definitely act according to the expectations of the society.

A business plays its part in being responsible when the leaders ensure that it delivers human rights, alleviates poverty, and also promotes global sustainability. The leaders are expected to deliver on these factors despite their geographical location or size of corporation (Blanchard & Sider, 2021). The global interconnectedness and interdependence is what triggered this requirement especially after individuals realised that it will take unity to overcome some of the challenges that are crippling the society today (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 2015). However, this does not imply that all the world’s problems will be solved by the leaders of corporations. On the contrary, leaders are expected to play their role in ensuring that the companies they are running are also positively contributing towards the shared value for all stakeholders. Therefore, rather than blaming these leaders for the slow change, or lack of thereof, individuals should engage in self-reflection by asking what they have done to support these leaders (Kramsch, 2019).

To create an inclusive world, and to design institutions that will be conducive for a comfortable human life, human rights and global justice must be used as pillars. Just as the leaders of corporations are held accountable for the outcomes of these organizations, individuals today should be accountable for the outcome of their actions and decision to the world (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 2015). Individuals should stop to consider how their actions are contributing to poverty or other worse conditions. They should also understand that they have a role to play in promoting human rights, which if not done, very little change will be experienced. So, how the responsibility is shared is a matter that should be well understood.

People should learn to take a stand on specific human rights issues. By acting alone, not much will be achieved. However, when people act in groups, the outcome will be noticeable (Kramsch, 2019). That is because the influence and power of a group is sufficient enough to push authorities to want to implement change. Policy makers will be forced to seek solutions to matters that are triggering go slows of workers. Also, governments will be forced to consider legislation that will enhance the economy, rather than worsen the living conditions of the people.

Conclusion

It is evident that everyone is a global citizen leader. People have the power to take action to push for what is right and stop any questionable activities that governments may be considering. Instead of giving up or feeling like individual action is too little, it is important to join other campaigns that are pushing for human rights and an end to the current socioeconomic challenges being experienced. The government and corporations alone cannot fully resolve the issue. Everyone must work together, guided by a universal goal.