Module 4: The Economics of Globalization

Prosperity, Identity, and Citizenship

In what ways does prosperity impact ways of life, identity, and citizenship?

Your living conditions, freedoms, and rights are shaped by the prosperity your country can develop. Living in a fairly prosperous country such as Canada may create perceptions that rights and living conditions are the way of life for most Canadians. The experience of living in an impoverished country is something that may not be familiar to many Canadians. What ways of life, sense of who you are, and rights would you have in a country that struggles with prosperity?

Internet

Free the Children is a website created by Craig and Marc Kielburger. Of the many activities they support, one calls upon the We Generation, people of your age, to adopt a village in Sierra Leone, Kenya, China, or Sri Lanka. The We Generation can support needs in education, health care, income, water, and sanitation by adopting a village. What existing ways of life require action such as the Free the Children projects? Select one of the village countries listed on the website and find information about living conditions, ways of life, and quality of life. A video slide show is available with each village country page. You may also wish to follow up with additional research on the Human Development Index for each of these village countries.

Reflection

Write a Journal or Blog reflection. Compare your own identity and citizenship to that of the children in the village countries featured in Free the Children. What difference does prosperity make on identity and citizenship?