"What I know from home": an analysis of the concept of global citizenship for local Aotearoa

Abstract

Globalisation has lead to changes in the nature of citizenship experienced by people working for positive local environmental reform. Global citizens are defined as people with some level of autonomy from national governments, taking action on a global scale, with a sense of accountability to communities around the world. This thesis provides a critique of the term global citizenship. Conversations with five New Zealanders who work for their local environments are gathered and analysed using narrative inquiry methods. Narrative inquiry treats data as stories and justifies a more narrative writing style which is the style of this thesis. The conclusion is drawn that the concept, global citizenship, has two central weaknesses. Firstly that it is Western-centric and fails to privilege the value inherent in diversity and secondly, it has a propensity to exacerbate people's disconnection from the environment. Further critique of the term is necessary before its use becomes widespread. Additionally, the assessment of narrative inquiry methods results in the provision of recommendations for its use in further environmental studies research.