Citizenship in the World Merit Badge

Start date/time: Saturday, February 12, 2022, 1:00 pm -3:30 pm

Location: Zoom teleconference hosted by:

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site, Buffalo, NY

You DO NOT need to buy a Zoom account to participate, though you may need to download the free program to join. Link will be sent out prior to the event.

Maximum capacity:  8

Fee:  $15.00 per scout

Adult supervision is required. An adult parent or guardian must be present during the program. A brief survey evaluation may be sent to parents following the program.

All pre-visit materials must be mailed to the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site for review one week prior to your scheduled Merit Badge Day.  Participants MUST use the TR Site worksheet.  To download a worksheet for preparation, see https://www.nps.gov/thri/learn/kidsyouth/bsaworksheets.htm

Please mail to:

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site

Attn: Education Director

641 Delaware Avenue

Buffalo, NY 14202

Or e-mail to tours@trsite.org

TR Inaugural Site merit badge sessions are participatory and scouts should expect to be asked to speak and participate actively.

Requirements

1 Pre-visit:  Explain what citizenship in the world means to you and what you think it takes to be a good world citizen. Be prepared to discuss this requirement during your session for the TR Inaugural Site for Merit Badge Day.

 2 Pre-visit:  Explain how one becomes a citizen in the United States, and explain the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizenship. Discuss the similarities and differences between the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizens and the citizens of two other countries.   

3 a and b Pre-visit:  Do the following: a. Pick a current world event based on one of the following categories: immigration, labor reform, conservation/environmentalism, urban poverty, racial or social inequality, role of the United States in foreign affairs. In relation to this current event, discuss how a country's national interest and its relationship with other countries might affect areas such as its security, its economy, its values, and the health of its citizens.  b. Research the Panama Canal. Discuss how Panama's geography, natural resources, and climate influence its economy and its global partnerships with other countries. 

4 b and c Pre-visit:  You will complete options (b) and (c). B. Using resources such as major daily newspapers, the Internet (with your parent's permission), and news magazines, observe a current issue that involves international trade, foreign exchange, balance of payments, tariffs, and free trade. Choose a current issue based on one of the following categories: immigration, labor reform, conservation/environmentalism, urban poverty, racial or social inequality, role of the United States in foreign affairs.  Explain what you have learned. Include in your discussion an explanation of why countries must cooperate in order for world trade and global competition to thrive.  c. Describe the following organizations and their roles in the world: World Organization of the Scout Movement and CARE.  How does CARE provide services for: clean water, economic development, poverty and social justice, climate change?  Be prepared to discuss this requirement during your session for the TR Inaugural Site for Merit Badge Day. 

5 a, b, and c Pre-visit:  Do the following: a. Discuss the differences between constitutional and non-constitutional governments. b. Name at least five different types of governments currently in power in the world. c. Show on a world map examples of countries that use each of these five different forms of government.  Be prepared to discuss this during your session for the TR Site. 

6 a, b, and c Pre-visit:  Do the following: a. Explain how a government is represented abroad and how the United States government is accredited to international organizations. b. Describe the roles of the following in the conduct of foreign relations: ambassador, consul, Bureau of International Information Programs, Agency for International Development, United States and Foreign Commercial Service. c. Explain the purpose of a passport and visa for international travel. 

7 a and b Pre-visit:  You will complete options (a) and (b). a. Visit the Web site of the U.S. State Department.  Learn more about an issue you find interesting that is discussed on this Web site. Select an issue based on one the following categories: immigration, labor reform, conservation/environmentalism, urban poverty, racial or social inequality, role of the United States in foreign affair.  Briefly describe the issue. b. Visit the Web site of an international news organization or foreign government, OR examine a foreign newspaper available at your local library, bookstore, or newsstand.  Find a news story about a human right realized in the United States that is not recognized in another country.