Think beyond the borders of birthplace.
For Stanton DeFreitas, being a citizen of the world means making an active effort to learn from cultures, ideas and experiences beyond the ones that first shaped us.
Broaden your horizons spiritually, academically and culturally.
This idea sits at the center of Stanton’s global-citizenship philosophy.
A mindset, not a label.
Stanton’s idea of global citizenship grew naturally from his upbringing in Toronto and his later international business experience.
In a diverse city, culture was not something distant or abstract. Different languages, customs, foods and traditions were part of everyday life. That experience offered an early lesson: the world contains many valid ways to think, live, work and build community.
Travel for business added another layer. Being physically present in different places can reveal nuances that are difficult to understand from a distance. It can also challenge assumptions and make familiar habits easier to see from a new perspective.
Three ways to keep expanding.
The philosophy is broad by design and leaves room for each person to define what growth looks like in his or her own life.
Spiritually
Remain open to reflection, meaning and perspectives that can deepen the way life and other people are understood.
Academically
Keep learning. New information, ideas and disciplines can challenge comfortable assumptions and widen possibility.
Culturally
Learn from different customs, traditions, languages, foods and social norms rather than treating one experience as universal.