Citizenship in the World Merit Badge

Introduction

Citizenship in the World is a merit badge that teaches scouts about their role as a global citizen. Scouts will learn about different cultures, governments, and international organizations.

Merit Badge Requirements

1. Explain what citizenship in the world means to you and what you think it takes to be a good world citizen.
2. Explain how one becomes a citizen in the United States, and explain the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizenship. Discuss the similarities and differences between the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizens and the citizens of two other countries.
3. Do the following:
1. Pick a current world event. In relation to this current event, discuss with your counselor how a country's national interest and its relationship with other countries might affect areas such as its security, its economy, its values, and the health of its citizens.
2. Select a foreign country and discuss with your counselor how its geography, natural resources, and climate influence its economy and its global partnerships with other countries.
3. Do TWO of the following (with your parent's permission) and share with your counselor what you have learned:
1. Attend a world Scout Jamboree.
2. Attend a world or regional conference of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.
3. Explain how the United States is important to other countries in the world.
4. Discuss the role of the United States in the World Health Organization, the World Intellectual Property Organization, the World Trade Organization, and one other world organization.
5. Discuss how the United States works with other countries to help solve hunger, disease, poverty, and oppression around the world.
4. Do the following:
1. Explain what is meant by the term "foreign relations."
2. Describe four ways in which the United States has helped other countries in need.
3. Discuss the role of America's diplomats and embassies in foreign countries. Explain why an embassy is in the capital of a foreign country; what it does; and how the ambassador and embassy staff assist Americans in the country.
5. Do TWO of the following (with your parent's permission) and share with your counselor what you have learned:
1. Visit the Web site of the U.S. State Department. Learn more about an issue you find interesting that is discussed on this Web site.
2. Visit the United States Institute of Peace Web site. Learn more about an issue you find interesting that is discussed on this Web site.
3. Visit the Web site of an international news organization or foreign government, OR examine a foreign newspaper available at your local library, bookstore, or newsstand. Find a news story about a human right realized in the United States that is not recognized in another country.
4. Visit with a student or Scout from another country and discuss the typical values, holidays, ethnic foods, and traditions practiced or enjoyed there.

Lesson

Hey there, scouts! Are you ready to become a global citizen? Let's get started!

First, let's talk about what citizenship in the world means. Being a global citizen means understanding and respecting different cultures, governments, and international organizations. It means being aware of what's happening around the world and how it affects us all.

Now, let's talk about the requirements. The first requirement is to explain what citizenship in the world means to you. So, what does it mean to you? Take a moment to think about it.

The second requirement is to explain how one becomes a citizen in the United States and discuss the similarities and differences between the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizens and the citizens of two other countries. Can you name two other countries and their citizenship requirements?

The third requirement is to pick a current world event and discuss with your counselor how a country's national interest and its relationship with other countries might affect areas such as its security, its economy, its values, and the health of its citizens. Can you think of a current world event and how it affects different countries?

The fourth requirement is to select a foreign country and discuss with your counselor how its geography, natural resources, and climate influence its economy and its global partnerships with other countries. Can you name a foreign country and its natural resources?

The fifth requirement is to do two of the following (with your parent's permission) and share with your counselor what you have learned. Which two will you choose?

The sixth requirement is to explain what is meant by the term "foreign relations." Can you explain it in your own words?

The seventh requirement is to do two of the following (with your parent's permission) and share with your counselor what you have learned. Which two will you choose?

Remember, being a global citizen is an ongoing process. Keep learning, keep exploring, and keep making a difference!

Questions

1. What does citizenship in the world mean to you?
2. Can you name two other countries and their citizenship requirements?
3. Can you think of a current world event and how it affects different countries?
4. Can you name a foreign country and its natural resources?
5. Which two of the fifth requirement will you choose?
6. Can you explain what is meant by the term "foreign relations"?
7. Which two of the seventh requirement will you choose?

Remember, if you have any questions or need help completing this merit badge, don't hesitate to reach out to your merit badge counselor. Good luck!

Schedule

Week	Requirement
1	Requirements 1 and 2
2	Requirement 3a
3	Requirement 3b
4	Requirement 3c
5	Requirement 4a
6	Requirement 4b
7	Requirement 4c
8	Requirement 5
9	Requirement 6
10	Requirement 7