18
ISSUES: Citizenship
Chapter 1: Citizenship in the UK
and public monies together, aiming to
agree pledges that will total £1 million in
private donations, with the expectation
that they would be matched by the
Mayor.
London is already an integration success
story compared to most other world
capitals. But with a dynamic individual
driving forward a proactive plan, London
could do so much more, becoming a
beacon for more successful integration
across thewhole of Britain and helping to
develop a stronger, shared sense of what
integrationmeans and how it canwork in
practice.
Mark Rimmer OBE, Head of Registration
and Nationality for Brent and Barnet
Councils – and the registrar who presided
over the first citizenship ceremony on 26
February 2004 – said:
“I have been involved in conducting
citizenship ceremonies since the very
first one 12 years ago. I have seen first
hand the passion, pride and emotion that
participation in ceremonies generates
and I feel privileged to have been a part
of these life-defining events.
“The introduction of a welcoming event
to celebrate the acquisition of British
citizenship was a great step forward
but I do feel that we now lack a political
champion to take the initiative to the
next stage. It is important that our new
citizens feel welcomed and valued by
our politicians – to encourage belonging
and integration and to celebrate those
who wish to join us as part of the British
family.”
Trevor Phillips OBE, former Chair of
the Equalities and Human Rights
Commission, said:
“London is a beacon of integration in
the modern world – but in a world that
is changing as quickly as ours, effective
integration won’t happen by accident. It
has to be an active process – promoted,
negotiated and supported inworkplaces,
schools andneighbourhoods. That’swhy
an office isn’t just another bureaucratic
invention – it’s a vital part of the city’s
economic and social future.”
Bharat Mehta, Chief Executive of Trust for
London, said:
“London could be the place that all
aspirational cities across the world want
toemulate.Ourglobalcityattractspeople
from all over the world, who together,
Are you a global citizen? New poll
suggests global trumps national
identity
By Jenny Soffel
bring much to its economy and culture.
It is important that we promote London’s
strengths, including its amazing diversity.
A dedicated Office for Citizenship and
Integration would provide a focal point
for these efforts, ensuring that Londoners
benefit from the proactive inclusion of
people who choose to make the capital
their home and theUnitedKingdomtheir
country.”
Michael Sani, Chief Executive of Bite the
Ballot, said:
“BTB would welcome all mayoral
candidates and the next mayor to put a
greateremphasisoncivicparticipationfor
all Londoners. Greater civic engagement
and an emphasis on active citizenship
will ensure community cohesion and
empowerment across London.”
25 February 2016
Ö
The
above
information
is
reprinted with kind permission
from British Future. Please visit
for further
information.
©British Future 2017
M
ore and more people around the world identify
themselves as global citizens rather than citizens
of their country, according to a BBC World Service
poll conducted by GlobeScan.
The big increase of this sentiment is being driven largely
by emerging economies, such as Nigeria (73% feel they are
global citizens), China (71%), Peru (70%) and India (67%).
Over 20,000 people worldwide in 18 countries took part
in the poll, and it’s the first time in 15 years of tracking
that more than half of the respondents saw themselves as
global citizens rather than national citizens.
Conversely, the poll indicates a growing divide between
industrialised countries and developing economies. Before
the financial crisis in 2008, the concept of global citizenship
was equally supported in both country groupings. But
since 2009, the trend has followed a downwards trajectory,
with Germany hitting the all-time low with only 30% of
respondents identifying themselves as global.
Among richer nations, 59% of those asked in Spain
considered themselves to be more global than national,
followed by Greece (47%), the UK (47%), Germany (30%),
and Russia (24%).
28 April 2016
Ö
The above information is reprinted with kind
permission from the World Economic Forum. Please
visit
for further information.
© World Economic Forum 2017
“73% of Nigerians feel they are global
citizens”
“The poll indicates a growing divide
between industrialised countries and
developing economies”
