Global citizenship: Hong Kong on the world stage
FoundationGlobalisation ties nations ever closer; the UN (1945) safeguards peace and Hong Kong trades as 'Hong Kong, China' in the WTO. Be a global citizen by saving resources and caring about the world.
- Globalisation links trade, information and people
- UN founded 1945; Hong Kong in the WTO as 'Hong Kong, China'
- Global citizenship starts daily: save resources, cut waste
§Text Passage
1Globalisation is not an abstract idea but a daily reality: your trainers may be made in Vietnam, designed by an American company and shipped to Hong Kong for sale; a single phone's parts can come from many countries and be assembled somewhere else again. Trade, culture and information cross borders ever faster, and our shopping, entertainment and work are now closely tied to the rest of the world.
2International bodies handle cross-border affairs: the United Nations, founded in 1945 with 193 member states, works to maintain international peace and security and to promote development, and China is one of the permanent members of the Security Council; the World Trade Organization sets global trade rules and settles disputes between members, and Hong Kong takes part as a member under the name 'Hong Kong, China'.
3Global issues are closer than we think: climate change brings more extreme weather, and super typhoons and prolonged heat directly affect Hong Kong; the COVID-19 pandemic proved how connected the world is — an outbreak in one place can spread across the globe within a short time. Such examples show global problems cannot be solved by any single country; every nation and every person must act, starting from their own life.
4Hong Kong resident, Chinese national and global citizen — three identities can coexist and enrich one another: serving the local community shows commitment to home; following the country's development and needs expresses a citizen's responsibility; caring about climate change and global poverty shows a global outlook. Living as a global citizen needs nothing dramatic: save water and electricity, bring your own shopping bag, support recycling — small acts kept up steadily bring real impact to society and the world.
1Summary 重點摘要
Globalisation ties nations ever closer; the UN (1945) safeguards peace and Hong Kong trades as 'Hong Kong, China' in the WTO. Be a global citizen by saving resources and caring about the world.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
Nations ever more connected in trade, information and travel.
Founded in 1945 with 193 member states, keeping world peace.
Sets global trade rules; Hong Kong takes part as 'Hong Kong, China'.
Someone who cares about the world as well as their home town.
The UN's 17 goals: ending poverty, quality education, climate action and more.
Long-term shifts in climate caused by rising global temperatures, affecting all nations.
Trade that guarantees producers a fair price for their goods.
Efforts to help people living in poverty improve their lives.
3Step by step Steps
- Globalisation is beside youGlobalisation is not an abstract idea but a daily reality: your trainers may be made in Vietnam, designed by an American company and shipped to Hong Kong for sale; a single phone's parts can come from many countries and be assembled somewhere else again. Trade, culture and information cross borders ever faster, and our shopping, entertainment and work are now closely tied to the rest of the world.
- How world bodies divide the workInternational bodies handle cross-border affairs: the United Nations, founded in 1945 with 193 member states, works to maintain international peace and security and to promote development, and China is one of the permanent members of the Security Council; the World Trade Organization sets global trade rules and settles trade disputes between members, and Hong Kong takes part as a member under the name 'Hong Kong, China', continuing to join international economic and trade affairs.
- A global citizen's dutiesThe duties of a global citizen begin with daily life: follow global issues such as climate change, poverty and fair trade, and see how they concern everyone; save water and electricity, cut waste at source, and choose environmentally friendly and fair-trade products. Small as they seem, such choices add up to the power of change — even a single shopping decision is one way to help change the world.
- Identities layer togetherHong Kong resident, Chinese national and global citizen — three identities can coexist and enrich one another: serving the local community shows commitment to home; following the country's development and needs expresses a citizen's responsibility; caring about climate change and global poverty shows a global outlook. The three layers do not exclude each other — one person can contribute at community, national and international levels at the same time.
- Global issues concern youGlobal issues are closer than we think: climate change brings more extreme weather, and super typhoons and prolonged heat directly affect Hong Kong; the COVID-19 pandemic proved how connected the world is — an outbreak in one place can spread across the globe within a short time. Such examples show global problems cannot be solved by any single country; everyone must act, starting from their own life.
- Start with small actsLiving as a global citizen needs nothing dramatic: saving water and electricity, bringing your own shopping bag and supporting recycling are concrete ways to protect the environment; joining community service and learning about the needs of different groups builds the habit of caring. The spirit of global citizenship is built bit by bit from small acts nearby — kept up steadily, they bring real impact to society and the world.
4Diagrams Diagrams
5Worked example Example
Example: after a typhoon hit the Philippines, Hong Kong groups launched donation drives. What spirit does this show?
- Disasters cross borders; ordinary people suffer
- Global citizens care for others' wellbeing, not just home
- As an international city, Hong Kong has a tradition of cross-border helping
- Act beyond donating: spread the word about the drive so more people join
- Answer: This shows the global-citizen spirit: disasters cross borders and it is ordinary people who suffer; global citizens care for people's wellbeing everywhere, not only at home. As an international city, Hong Kong has a long tradition of cross-border helping — beyond donating, you can spread the word so more people join. Identities layer together: Hong Kong resident, Chinese national — and a global citizen who cares for the planet.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1When was the UN founded, and how many members does it have?
Q2Under what name does Hong Kong take part in the WTO?
Q3Name one of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Q4What does being a global citizen mean?
Q5What issues do the UN Sustainable Development Goals address?
8Recap Recap
- Globalisation links trade, information and people
- UN founded 1945; Hong Kong in the WTO as 'Hong Kong, China'
- Global citizenship starts daily: save resources, cut waste
- Identities coexist in layers: Hong Kong resident, Chinese national, global citizen
- Choose fair-trade and green products — consumption can change the world