Introduction
The Citizenship in the World merit badge helps Scouts broaden their understanding of global citizenship and the role they play in the larger international community. This badge encourages Scouts to explore different cultures, learn about world governments, and recognize the importance of global cooperation. Earning this badge will enhance your awareness of global issues, diplomacy, and the responsibilities of being a good global citizen. Let’s get started on what it takes to earn the Citizenship in the World badge!
Timeframe/Difficulty
The Citizenship in the World merit badge can typically be completed in a few weeks, though it may take longer depending on the availability of materials, meetings with experts, and research tasks. The badge is moderately challenging, as it requires a thoughtful approach to learning about international affairs, global systems, and intercultural understanding. It may also require research and the ability to explain complex ideas, but with proper planning, it’s very achievable.
Tips for Success
- Do Your Research: Many of the requirements ask you to compare and contrast different governments, cultures, or international organizations. Take the time to do thorough research from reliable sources.
- Stay Informed: Keep up with global events. Watching news reports or reading international newspapers will help you understand the current issues and developments around the world.
- Engage with Experts: For requirements involving discussions with people knowledgeable about foreign relations or global organizations, try to seek out experts who have firsthand experience.
- Make Connections: When learning about different cultures or governments, try to relate them to your own community and experiences. This will make the learning process more meaningful.
- Think Critically: This badge requires more than just memorizing facts. Be prepared to reflect on what you learn and consider how global issues affect both your life and the lives of others around the world.
Want to earn the other Citizenship based merit badges? You’re in luck! I have guides for all 4 Eagle required Citizenship merit badges. You can find them under the merit badge section of the site!
Complete Guide
***This guide is only intended as a starting point for your research. Directly copying the information offered here is plagiarism. Doing your own research will allow you to get the most out of this badge and maintain the 12 points of the scout law. A scout is trustworthy!***
Requirement 1
- Discuss with your counselor what citizenship in the world means to you and what you think it takes to be a good world citizen. Explain how you can show good global citizenship in your Scout troop and in your everyday life.
In this requirement, you’ll need to reflect on what it means to be a part of the global community. Some key points to consider:
- Global Citizenship: Think about how you are connected to people around the world. Whether it’s through trade, communication, or shared environmental concerns, everyone on Earth plays a part in the global system.
- Responsibilities: Just like local citizenship, global citizenship comes with responsibilities. These may include respecting cultural differences, understanding international issues, and contributing to peace and sustainability.
- Everyday Actions: Reflect on how simple actions—like conserving resources, promoting fairness, or participating in global awareness activities—can contribute to a better world.
Requirement 2
- Do the following:
- Explain how one becomes a citizen in the United States, and in a country of your choice, through birth and naturalization.
- Discuss the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizens, and compare them to the rights, duties, and obligations of citizens in the other country you chose.
This requirement focuses on comparing citizenship between two countries. Here’s how to approach it:
- U.S. Citizenship: In the U.S., people can gain citizenship through birth (if born on U.S. soil or to U.S. parents) or through naturalization (a legal process for foreign nationals).
- Another Country’s Citizenship: Choose a country to compare. For example, in Germany, citizenship can be obtained by birth to German parents or through naturalization after meeting residency and language requirements.
- Rights and Responsibilities: In the U.S., citizens have rights like voting and freedom of speech but must also follow laws and serve on juries. Compare this to your chosen country, noting any key differences or similarities.
Requirement 3
- Do the following:
- Select two countries, compare their forms of government, and explain how they function. Examples of different types of governments include constitutional monarchy, parliamentary government, republic, dictatorship, and so on.
- Discuss with your counselor how these governments differ from the U.S. government.
You’ll need to choose two countries with different forms of government. Here’s an example of how you can do it:
- United Kingdom (Constitutional Monarchy and Parliamentary Democracy): The UK has a monarch as the head of state, but the government is run by elected officials in Parliament.
- China (Communist State): China operates under a one-party system, with the Communist Party holding significant power over all aspects of government.
- Comparison to U.S. Government: The U.S. operates as a federal republic, where power is divided between the federal and state governments. Explain how the balance of powers, elected officials, and political parties differ from your chosen countries.
Requirement 4
- Do the following:
- Explain how international law differs from national law.
- Identify some organizations that work with international law, such as the United Nations and the International Court of Justice.
- Discuss the role of these organizations in world affairs.
In this requirement, you’ll explore the difference between international law (laws that govern the relations between countries) and national law (laws that govern individuals within a specific country). International law relies on agreements between countries, whereas national law is enforceable by the government.
Some organizations to focus on:
- United Nations (UN): An international body focused on maintaining peace, security, and promoting human rights.
- International Court of Justice (ICJ): The judicial branch of the UN that settles disputes between nations according to international law. These organizations play key roles in resolving conflicts, promoting human rights, and handling global issues like climate change.
Requirement 5
- Do the following:
- Describe the purpose of international organizations such as the World Health Organization, the World Trade Organization, or the International Monetary Fund.
- Pick one organization and learn more about its mission and achievements.
There are numerous international organizations that work to improve conditions around the world. For example:
- World Health Organization (WHO): Focuses on international public health, working to control disease outbreaks and promote health programs.
- World Trade Organization (WTO): Regulates international trade, ensuring that trade flows smoothly and fairly. Pick one organization to research in depth. Learn about its mission, how it operates, and its most significant accomplishments in areas like public health, trade, or humanitarian aid.
Requirement 6
- Do the following:
- Discuss the differences between foreign relations and foreign policy.
- Discuss the role of ambassadors, embassies, and consulates, and explain how they help communicate between nations.
This requirement involves understanding how countries interact with one another. Here are some key terms:
- Foreign Relations: The interactions between different countries, which can include trade, diplomacy, and conflict resolution.
- Foreign Policy: A government’s strategy in dealing with other nations, which can involve defense, trade agreements, and alliances.
- Ambassadors and Embassies: Ambassadors represent their home country in a foreign nation, working from embassies to manage diplomatic relations.
- Consulates: Focus more on assisting citizens abroad and promoting economic relations.
Requirement 7
- Do the following:
- Learn about career opportunities in foreign service, the military, international business, and other fields involved in global relations.
- Pick one field and explain to your counselor why you are interested in that field.
There are many careers that involve working on global issues. Some options include:
- Foreign Service Officer: Works in embassies around the world to promote diplomacy and handle international issues.
- International Business: Involves managing business operations across different countries, dealing with trade, and adapting to different cultures. Choose a career path that interests you and explain why you find it compelling. This might involve meeting people from different cultures, solving international problems, or helping promote peace.
Conclusion
The Citizenship in the World merit badge is an opportunity to expand your understanding of global issues and your role as a global citizen. Through research, discussions, and engagement with international organizations, you’ll gain a deeper awareness of how the world operates and how countries work together to solve problems. By following this guide, you’ll be well on your way to completing the badge and enhancing your perspective on the world around you.