I am a citizen of the world
Yet, I don’t have a passport
Issued by a world government
I have regard for all people
Not only my kinsmen and compatriots
I acknowledge the humanity of all
Without regard to their religion, culture or nationality
I see my fellow human beings
As the inhabitants of a large city
In which different cultures live and meet
I scorn nationalism
I am wary of patriotism
I am suspicious of particular loyalties
My allegiances and loyalties are widely dispersed
You won’t see me raising the flag of any particular nation
I favor multiple attachments and cultural mélange
I take an interest in strangers
In their practices and beliefs
There is much to learn from our differences
Differences do not worry or frighten me away
They intrigue and draw me in
I love traveling and foreign cultures
I love world literature, music and cinema
I live in a world without borders
I lead a cosmopolitan life
I find my inspirations
In a cosmopolitan world
-Rotterdam, Netherlands
