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Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts explore what it means to be a member of the global community while working on the Citizenship in the World merit badge. They learn about international law and international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the European Union. Scouts also find out about relationships between nations and the role of the US State Department and ambassadors.

The Citizenship in the World merit badge is required for the rank of Eagle Scout.

Help with Answers for Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Requirements

Find specific helps for some of the Citizenship in the World merit badge requirements listed below. Some of these resources will just give the answers. Others will provide engaging ways for older Scouts to introduce these concepts to new Scouts.

Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Requirement 1: What Is Citizenship in the World?

Some Aspects of World Citizenship

  • Learning about other countries and the issues facing them
  • Being concerned about other countries and helping when disaster strikes
  • Working to increase understanding between people of different nations

Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Requirement 2: Rights and Duties of Citizens

What is US Citizenship?

This topic is covered in Requirement 1 for the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge. Click here to see all of the information about who is a citizen and the rights and duties of US citizens.

Do Citizens in All Countries Have the Same Rights and Responsibilities?

This article compares some of the rights in the US constitution to rights in India and Germany.

Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Requirement 3: Current Events and Characteristics

Current Events in the World

Check out the US News and World Report world news page and find something of interest to sturdy further.

Country Reports

Select a country to see an overview of its population, climate, geography, economy, and more. Click on the links in the economy section to learn about resources.

Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Requirement 4: International Law and Organizations

National Law vs International Law

National law – also known as domestic law or municipal law – is a body of laws made within a country by its government. These laws are only in effect within the boundaries and territories of the nation.

International law is a set of laws which numerous countries sign for their mutual benefit. They normally deal with topics such as international crime, human rights, and trade.

Current Events in International Trade

See current news articles which are directly related to international trade. You can pick one to read and study further.

The United Nations

The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights.

UNICEF

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. It is the world’s largest provider of vaccines.

The World Court

Also known as the International Court of Justice, the World Court settles disputes between countries in accordance with international law.

Interpol

Interpol is the international criminal police organization. It enables police in 194 countries to work together to fight international crime.

World Organization of the Scout Movement

WOSM encourages the Scouting movement throughout the world. The World Scout Jamboree is one of its events. The Boy Scouts of America is a member of WOSM.

The World Health Organization

WHO’s primary role is to direct international health within the United Nations’ system and to lead partners in global health responses.

Amnesty International

Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people in over 150 countries and territories who campaign to end abuses of human rights.

The International Committee of the Red Cross

The ICRC responds quickly and efficiently to help people affected by armed conflict. It also responds to disasters in conflict zones, because the effects of a disaster are compounded if a country is already at war. Emergencies are unpredictable, so rapid deployment capability is hugely important.

CARE International

CARE is a major international humanitarian agency delivering emergency relief and long-term international development projects. It is is a global confederation of organizations working together to end poverty.

European Union

The EU is an international organization comprising 27 European countries and governing common economic, social, and security policies.

Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Requirement 5: Types of Governments

Difference Between Constitutional and Nonconstitutional Governments

A constitutional government is a government limited by a constitution that outlines what authority the government does and doesn’t have, while an non-constitutional government is one lacking a constitution. Read more.

Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Requirement 6: Foreign Relations and Travel

Representation Abroad

Countries engage with other countries through their head of state – such as the president or prime minister, ambassadors, and other diplomats.

How Is the US Government Accredited to International Organizations?

The United States is accredited to a vast number of international organizations including the United Nations and NATO. Being accredited means the US has met the requirements of membership of the organization and been accepted. Usually this involves agreeing to the by-laws of the organization by signature of the head of state or another official.

Ambassador

An ambassador is an accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country. An ambassador is the US President’s highest-ranking representative to a specific nation or international organization abroad.

Consul

A Consul’s primary job is assisting and protecting American citizens abroad. If you lose your passport, find yourself in trouble with the law, or want to get married to a foreigner overseas, you’ll need the help of this officer. Consular officers also issue visas to non-U.S. citizens who wish to travel, work, study, or live in the United States.

Bureau of International Information Programs

IIP is part of the State Department. It supports conversations with people in other countries to promote foreign policy priorities. The video below gives some examples.

Agency for International Development

USAID is an independent agency of the United States federal government that is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance. See the video below.

United States and Foreign Commercial Service

The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. It helps U.S. companies get started in exporting or increase sales to new global markets.

What Is a Passport?

A passport is a formal document or certification issued by a national government identifying a traveler as a citizen or national with a right to protection while abroad and a right to return to the country of citizenship.

Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Requirement 7: Learn More

US State Department Website

You’ll find a number of articles here related to foreign policy news, issues, and programs.

News Agencies from Around the World

Resources

Scouts BSA World Conservation Award

Youth earn the Scouts BSA World Conservation Award when they earn conservation related merit badges and participate in a conservation project as part of an approved Scouting program. The Citizenship in the World merit badge helps fulfill these requirements.

Comments

One response to “Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Helps and Documents”

  1. Tylene Byrd Avatar
    Tylene Byrd

    Is there a printable checkoff sheet for this merit badge? They are amazing!

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