Help your children become more responsible world citizens and develop social strengths by providing practical citizenship education including volunteering opportunities. Here are some ideas to get you started.
  • Learn about your world. Read the newspaper, watch the news on TV, and go online to find out which countries are in the news these days and why. Locate the countries on a world map or globe or in an atlas. Discuss international events with your teen. How might an event that happens in a country halfway around the world affect your family? If your child is studying another country or region of the world in school, learn from him or her. Then use library or museum resources to find out more.
  • Learn about the United Nations. Founded by fifty-one countries after World War II, the UN, which now has 192 member states, keeps the peace, resolves conflicts, and provides humanitarian assistance around the world. Help your kids become better-informed world citizens by learning more about the triumphs and challenges this great institution faces. Tour the UN in New York (it’s free!) or take a virtual tour.
  • Go green. Hold a family summit on reducing your family’s consumption of the earth’s resources. Talk about saving energy, water, and gas by dialing down the thermostat, using compact fluorescent bulbs, unplugging appliances when they’re not being used, taking shorter showers, using low-flow showerheads, eating locally raised meat, eggs, and dairy products, having vegetarian meals once a week (or more), skipping bottled water, bringing your own tote to the grocery store, and recycling rechargeable batteries and printer cartridges. Brainstorm. What can your family buy second hand rather than new? What can you borrow (or share) instead of buying? Are there places you drive to that you could walk or ride bikes to? Would your family enjoy a game night once a week with all the computers and televisions turned off? What other ideas for conserving resources can your family come up with?
  • Celebrate Earth Day. Join this annual April 22 appreciation of the earth’s environment. Local activities often include park and beach cleanups, gardening projects, and informational events focusing on conservation and climate change. Many schools celebrate Earth Day, so find out what your local school is planning, and check with local environmental groups as well. Then choose an activity and join the celebration as a family.
  • Make friends with someone from another country. The person could be a neighbor, someone you know from work or your child knows from school, or even a relative. If you can’t think of anyone, contact your child’s school, your place of worship, or a social service agency. Bring your teen with you as you get to know the person. Enjoy both likenesses and differences between your families. Holiday celebrations, food, and leisure activities are always good conversation starters.
  • Help your child find a pen pal from another country. What a great way to gain an international perspective and make a new friend! Online is the easiest way to find a pen pal, but make sure the site is safe. If you can’t find a site you’re comfortable with (your child’s teacher may know one), these two Web sites are reputable: http://www.amazing-kids.org/penpals and www.ipf.net.au/.
  • Help someone in another part of the world. Search for volunteer opportunities that will give you the chance to help others. The Red Cross is just one disaster relief agency with local affiliates. Nearly every religious denomination sponsors a relief agency as well. If you are considering donating to an international charity that you are not familiar with, check www.charitynavigator.org for help evaluating it.
  • Learn a foreign language with your child. Take a community education class or use CDs and books at home. This is a tall order for busy families, but you should be able to learn at least the basics if you keep at it. One fun family alternative is for each family member to memorize a few greetings and polite phrases in a different language. Then teach each other what you learned. Encourage everyone to keep using the phrases so they don’t forget them.