Refusing the Comfort of Indifference

From The Everyday Global Citizen Podcast

This post marks the beginning of a new ten-episode series exploring global citizenship as a daily practice, not as a concept to master, but as something we return to again and again.

Global citizenship shapes how we show up in the world — in our relationships, our communities, and in how we understand responsibility toward others. At times, global events interrupt the ordinary and remind us how deeply connected we are.

What happens when something far away suddenly feels close?

What Does Global Citizenship Mean in Everyday Life?

Global citizenship is often discussed as an abstract ideal, but in practice, it shows up in small, everyday moments.

It influences how we pay attention, how we relate to others, and how willing we are to question our own position in the world. Rather than something we “become,” global citizenship is something we practice — especially when circumstances challenge our sense of distance or neutrality.

When Global Events Feel Personal

There is a great deal happening in the world — in Palestine, Sudan, Iran, Ukraine, and beyond.

Sometimes our response is shaped not only by headlines, but by personal connection. Places we have lived, studied, or built relationships in carry emotional weight. When news emerges from those places, our reaction is often stronger because the distance collapses.

Global citizenship doesn’t require us to feel everything equally. But it does make it harder to say: this has nothing to do with me.

Why It’s Hard to Care About Everything Happening in the World

Living in a globalized world means constant exposure to crisis, injustice, and suffering — far more than any one person can meaningfully respond to.

Scrolling past difficult news, feeling numb, or deciding what to emotionally engage with are not moral failures. They are human responses to overwhelm.

Global citizenship often begins when we notice these moments of disengagement — when we become aware of how and why we create distance.

Global Citizenship and the Practice of Caring Without Burnout

 Caring deeply about the world does not mean being consumed by it.

Global citizenship invites a more sustainable form of care — one that acknowledges limits while remaining open to connection. It asks whether we can stay present with discomfort, uncertainty, or sadness without immediately turning away or demanding solutions.

This kind of care is not innate. It is cultivated through practice.

Is Global Citizenship an Identity or a Practice?

Global citizenship is not an identity label, and it is not a destination we arrive at.

It is an ongoing practice of reflection, learning, and adjustment. It involves paying attention to power, history, context, and consequence — and being willing to act imperfectly when action is needed.

Like all meaningful practices, it requires humility and repetition.

Refusing the Comfort of Indifference

Global citizenship is not about reacting to every event or issue.

It is about refusing the comfort of indifference — about noticing when we are being invited, gently or uncomfortably, to care a little more than feels easy.

You don’t need to answer that invitation immediately.
Simply noticing it is already a form of engagement. 

Global citizenship is a practice. If you’d like a monthly reflection to support yours, you’re welcome to join my newsletter [here].