Multifaceted thinking as a Key Element for the Development of Global Citizenship Identity

In spite of the on-going globalization in science, technology and economic activities, the contemporary world seems to be divided severely because of the serious confrontations among nations, ethnic and religious groups. These confrontations raise numerous intercultural conflicts which could lead the world to a catastrophic devastation. This study focuses on the psychological skills for conflict resolution as one of the most crucial global competencies which are pursued in the Global Citizenship Education (GCED) proclaimed by UNESCO. Through the interview with the participants in an active learning programme for GCED, the multifaceted way of thinking proved to be closely interconnected with the competency for the resolution of intercultural conflicts which were mostly caused due to different ethnic, national and religious values. Furthermore, this multifaceted way of thinking seem to be an indispensable factor for the development of integrated multiple identities which shall constitutes the psychological foundation of global citizenship. The formation of a global citizenship identity strengthens the awareness of the interconnectedness between one’s personal self and the global community, and this awareness could contribute to the acquisition of “Ibasho,” the psychological space in which you can feel yourself as an accepted and valuable person acting for the improvement of the world. On the basis of this finding, the possibility of elaborating an effective learning programme for the development of global citizenship identity was discussed in connection to the educational initiative by UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet).