We have probably heard the term “global citizen”, especially in the contemporary interconnected world. It sometimes feels like a necessity in how we identify ourselves.

Throughout human history, people have always organised themselves into groups and communities that share similar values, ideas, culture, and an overall identity. In return, this helped and still helps shape people’s needs economically, politically, religiously and socially. In the 21st century, as the world has evacuated many physical and communication barriers, the world is witnessing a rise in higher demand for global engagement, which is resulting in creating global citizens who crave a sense of belonging to a world community rather than a small or local one.

Global citizens tend to be open minded, well-travelled individuals who feel connected to the rest of the world. Informed and globally engaged, global citizens are often interested in learning about new cultures, world events and new economic opportunities. So, we must understand that a global citizen is someone who identifies with being part of an emerging world community and whose actions contribute to building this community’s values and practices.

There are the 4 types of global citizenship

• Ethical Global Citizenship
• Cultural Global Citizenship
• Civic Global Citizenship
• Economic Global Citizenship

How can CBI Programs promote Global Citizen practices?

Achieving citizenship in any country refers to your agreement with the government to work together for the betterment of the community and yourself. By getting citizenship, you become responsible for your actions in the community. You have additional responsibilities of following the law and are given fundamental rights within the country.

As the world is growing fast and has already become a global village, people in great numbers need to move to different countries and have citizenship and gain more and better benefits. Citizenship by Investment CBI in a country means investing your money in the host country to obtain that country’s national identity.

Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs are often identified as a method of attaining a second citizenship of another country through making an investment in that country. In other words, as a trusted option for people interested in becoming global citizens, CBI often entails an investment in a country’s social programmes or real estate. Thus, Citizenship by Investment CBI may lead to becoming a global citizen. 

CBI programs promote global citizenship through the following:

Dual Citizenship: while some people will find that by accident of birth they hold citizenships of two countries. CBI programs often accept dual citizens rights. Dual citizenship entails rights and responsibilities in two or more different countries, which grants the holders a privileged and important global perspective. Dual citizenship can grant a person an enhanced ability to travel to different countries, to engage with the global economy and to interact with politics and foreign affairs.

European Union CBI Programs: The European Union (EU) offers a fascinating model which is similar to global citizenship. As an EU citizen, the person has rights to live, work, vote and pay tax in all EU’s member states. However, these member states are all situated in the same

geographic area, in Europe. Obvious examples are CBI programs of Portugal, Malta and Isle of Man, etc.

Active Engagement in the Country’s Social & Economic Programs: CBI programs are often entailing an investment in a country’s social programs or real estate, which all constitute trusted options for people interested in becoming global citizens. 

The best examples of the CBI engagement in the social & economic infrastructure of the host country is the Caribbean citizenship by investment programs.

The Caribbean countries are known as the cradle of second Citizenship by Investment. As obvious examples are the following:

• The St Kitts and Nevis CBI offers a Sustainable Island State Contribution which goes towards enhancing the sustainable development and social welfare of the island. It is known as being the gold standard of the CBI program. St Kitts and Nevis has used CBI funds for fascinating initiatives including renewable energy investment. CBI helped the country create a new Department of Creative Economy, which empowers people in the creative industries to continue developing their talents. CBI is also aiding future generations in St Kitts and Nevis through funding schools and educational initiatives.

• Dominica: the Dominica CBI program offers an Economic Diversification Fund which aids the island’s goal to become the world’s first climate-resilient nation. With CBI funds, Dominica is currently building a geothermal power plant along with an international airport, new bridges and new roads to supplement its growing ecotourism industry. These are all contributing to the country’s continued economic diversification. The country’s varied and enticing ecotourism offering led to its status as the first country in the world to be benchmarked by Green Globe. Green Globe sets high standards in its certification system of countries offering sustainable ecotourism. Dominica also offers multiple natural parks, four and five-star eco hotels, and protected marine parks. These sustainably sourced real estate options are important to helping the natural environment, driving ecotourism on the island, and spurring economic diversification and growth.

• Antigua & Barbuda: National Development Fund (NDF) is a non-profit fund, which purpose is funding government sponsored projects, including public-private partnerships and approved charitable investments. However, global citizens may not wish to limit their global citizenship to their particular region of the world. Rather, for reasons of wanderlust, weather, governance or economic incentive, global citizens may want to expand their horizons further. Many examples could be mentioned in this regard, such as citizenship by investment from the USA, Canada, UK, Panama, etc.

Mutual Benefits of the CBI Programs & Global Citizenship

As there are many benefits available to those who choose to apply for a second passport through a citizenship by investment program, it is important to keep in mind that Citizenship By Investment Programs CBI constitute also as opportunities which are meant to benefit investors and the hosting country itself.

• CBI programs bring in foreign direct investments.
• CBI programs bring financial support to the host countries
• CBI programs increase the presence of international businesses. 
• CBI programs allow more funds to be put in circulation in the host countries, which directly and indirectly bring a prosperous environment, including the creation of more jobs.