1. A universal internet vote to enable enhanced global democracy

2. Development of a global internet-mediated collaborative governance plan

3. Respect for human rights

4. Equality under a global legal system

5. Ethical open commerce enabling ecological sustainability and the welfare of all species

6. Outlawing nuclear weapons, and other weapons of mass destruction

7. Freedom of electronic communications guaranteed by a law against spy applications

8. Safeguarding of privacy of electronic communications

9. Collaborative global response in the event of natural disasters and conflicts

10. Collaborative governance for failed states

The term “global citizen” is thrown round by politicians, advertisers, communications companies,just about everyone seeking an inclusive term that sounds important.

But what is a global citizen, really? It is actually a term that carries the weight of our global future. Its principles are considerably more subversive than national politicians would like to think, because it carries the seeds of real global change. If we see ourselves as global citizens, we cannot possibly be happy with the problems we see in our world.

And if we are smart, we can see that change is not only possible, but necessary on a short timeframe. To achieve real change though, we need to set our principles and agree on them. The principles above have developed from the development of the internet and its global reach, international agreements on human rights, and the globally recognised need for our earth to be protected from global warming and environmental devastation.

To be a global citizen is to be a person working in their own way towards a better world. But global citizens need to join together as a community. In my book Survival Year I explore how such a community could work. If you search online, there are many groups of global citizens working to create a better future.

This is a serious endeavour.