Sorrow comes from being wrong,
And starts us off a-sighing.
Joy comes with a simple song,
As wisdom comes from trying.
A. Isfeld 1943

From the Icelandic Canadian magazine 1967

One hundred years old! This is indeed extended time for an individual but for a country it is but the first stage in its desired existence. Canada has, however, lived through many exciting experiences during its first century. For the most part those events have been adventurous and pleasant milestones on the road to nationhood. Not least among those was the exciting event of its inhabitants becoming bone-fide Canadian citizens. A true Canadian citizenship was an endearing gift to the millions that call Canada home.

As this centennial year progresses, we, the citizens of Canada, have roused ourselves to a flag waving feeling of pride in our country. This outward action and spirit is in itself an excellent step forward but now as Canada "comes of age" we should in addition give serious thought to the basic citizenship principles involved in the development of a harmonious nation, respected and admired by all of humanity. If these principles are not nurtured in every succeeding year this surge of patriotic feeling during centennial year may prove to be a passing fancy or a temporary emotional situation. To prove that this is not so we should take serious stock of ourselves in order to ascertain whether we qualify, individually or plurally, as truly good citizens. If we find ourselves lacking in the desired qualities we should promptly make a serious attempt to correct the situation. It naturally follows that one must be, to some degree at least, informed in the area of what constitutes good citizenship, before any positive action can be taken. What then is, "good citizenship"?

Firstly a good citizen is a willing and interested member of his community. Here he must show consideration for the feelings and needs of others. He is at all times courteous to others, sharing in their task of making his community a better place in which to live. Here he is willing to support his religious institution and at the same time fully respects the religious institutions of those whose beliefs vary from his own and he gives all, irrespective of race or religion, the same consideration as he in turn expects from them. He does not frown on the activities of others simply because those activities are contrary to his personal beliefs or feelings, but rather judges others by their true acts and deeds, apart from his or their traditionally accepted rights or wrongs. He is at all times truthful, realizing that truth only is permanent and can never be destroyed whereas falsehoods, being of substance that never existed, cause only harm and eventually fall by the wayside. He steals not his brother's character by deliberately and unnecessarily defaming him or maliciously attacking him, but rather exemplifies his good qualities. He never takes an unfair advantage of others and realizes that taking such an advantage is a theft in disguise be it a value of time, money, reputation or character.

A good citizen does not live a life apart but rather joins in his community's activities, and cultivates a friendship with neighbours, at all times respecting their rights, and displaying courtesy, kindness and helpfulness in as far as his neighbours are willing to accept and return them.

A good citizen fulfils his obligations toward local governments. He is faithful in exercising his right to vote as he pleases; is willing to share in the work of local government and if he is a member of such a civic body he never forces his will upon other members, never allows other members to force their personal ideas upon himself, never allows sentiment nor personal prejudices to influence his decisions, never makes decisions that are not the result of carefully considered facts and fully respects the final decisions of the majority of the governing body. The good citizen attacks each problem with an open mind and is willing to change his attitude in spite of his personal opinions when actual facts reveal conditions are contrary to his original thinking. He, at all time, makes certain that information he presents during a discussion is accurate and reliable. He acquaints himself fully with his rights and duties while in office and in turn adheres to them rigidly.

A good citizen sees to it that his place of business or home is a credit to the community in which he lives. He does not tolerate uncleanliness nor truly immoral activities in any shape or form. He takes pride in the accomplishment of others and strives to be a character worthy of their respect. He provides well for his family in the area of daily necessities, culture, education and medical attention. Above all he works earnestly so that no one shall suffer because of his lack of ambition and effort. He never flaunts his riches in the faces of the less fortunate and does not measure his respect for others by their value in dollars and cents.

Secondly a good citizen is an active and willing member of his nation. He displays a sincere non- fanatic patriotism tempered with the knowledge that his own nation can at times be fallible. He cultivates in himself a deep respect for his country; a respect he can understand others might have for their country. He accepts the cultures and recognizes the skills of ethnic groups making up his nation and attempts to weave them into the patterns of nationhood, thus making its overall culture richer and more attractive.

A good citizen acquaints himself fully with the public services his national government provides; an understanding of advantages derived from them and cultivates a willingness to pay his rightful share in maintaining them.

A good citizen always adheres to the laws of his country, realizing that those laws are the bulwark that preserves the freedom of the individual and thus of his nation. He should feel that the breaking of a law, however innocent it appears to him, is an act of aggression against his nation and a lack of trust in his fellowmen.

A good citizen has so much confidence in the national institutions of his country and the members of those institutions that he will always be willing to accept changes brought about by the will of the majority and willingly will carry out their requests.

Lastly, but quickly becoming the most significant, a good citizen considers himself a member of the world community. The idea that ones duties are to his nation only has been blotted out permanently as the speed of modern transportation and communication has made next door neighbours of nations to the ends of the world. As a member of the world community a good citizen respects all races and creeds irrespective of apparent differences. He carefully keeps in mind that what other nations are striving for is the direct result of their cultures and beliefs; that they are as sincere in their adherence to their way of life as he is in his. He tries to understand their problems and thus recognize their viewpoints and accepts them without personally opinionated prejudice. This in turn means that a good citizen acquaints himself fully with world organizations and the part his own country plays in them. To the best of his ability he assists his own nation to be a member in good standing, always fostering better relations in order that peace, goodwill and due respect may be the result.

No longer is one able to give his whole loyalty to home and country; loyalty to the human race must have its share. The need of world citizenship has glaringly been thrust upon us. Let us hope that we can ably cope with it.