Developing a global mindset and demonstrating global citizenship starts with learning about other cultures, societies, governments, and national challenges. That requires deliberate attention to world news and studying aspects of other countries.

In this assignment, you will select a current, important international issue, record relevant data regarding at least two disparate countries on the issue, and compare and contrast news about the issue from different perspectives.

Step 1. Select Issue Select one of these broad topics to research and analyze for two very different countries. You may want to visit the NationMaster website linked on the Learning Objects page, then click on Categories and select those related to an issue. Note: In the next step, you will select the two countries whose perspectives you will analyze, but you may want to make the selections simultaneously.

• Poverty
• Trade
• Intellectual property
• Child and maternal health
• Infectious diseases
• Environment
• Natural disasters
• Education
• Peace and security
• Human rights

Step 2. Select Countries Select two very different countries whose perspectives on the issue you will analyze. Select countries from different regions of the world and/or countries of significantly different size, economic standing, or culture. Write a descriptive paragraph about each of the countries, including geography, language(s), culture(s), and economic and political stability.

Step 3. Investigate Investigate events, policies, social practices and structures, or other frameworks impacting or impacted by your selected issue in your selected countries. Try to find some resources describing the issue originating in each country, such as local or government-sponsored news. Possible resources are linked on the Learning Objects page. Categorize your findings with four or five labels related to the countries and/or to the issue (such as policies, actions, cost, resistance, statistics, etc.).

Step 4. Tabulate Create a table in a Word document in which to organize your findings. Use your two selected countries as the 2^nd and 3^rd rows of the table, and at least four category labels as the columns in the body of the table. Include clearly worded descriptors in the table cells to compare and contrast characteristics associated with the issue for each country.

Step 5. Compile Compile your country descriptions, table, and a conclusion of at least three paragraphs into a paper. Your conclusion should reflect global thinking and include actions global citizens should take regarding the issue. Include an APA-formatted references page with your submission.