1. For each of the 3 countries, give the following information:
a) capital
b) location/the countries that share its borders
c) the religious breakdown of the population
d) the type of government
e) the chief of state (and head of government if different) If monarch or dictator, since what date has he/she ruled? – include name of heir apparent for monarch
f) the population
[Find the answers at the CIA World FactBook website. For each country, answers can be found under the “Geography” “People” and “Government” headings. NOTE: If WorldFactBook appears outdated for any country, go to Wikipedia – search there for “Religion in ___” or “Politics of ____” for the leaders.  Or do an internet search for “Population of ___.”]

NOTE to students: Before answering the questions below, read the info under “Background” and watch the videos under “Resources.”

2. For VENEZUELA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Why did many Colombians living in a Venezuelan border town leave their homes taking only the possessions they could carry and cross the river back into Colombia?
c) How did the Venezuelan government explain their actions in this area?
d) What is believed to be the real reason for President Maduro’s actions?

3. For UNITED KINGDOM:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) How will the Queen celebrate this milestone?
c) Why is she commemorating the day in this way?
d) Remember that the Queen’s position today is mainly ceremonial. How do you think the country should celebrate the milestone of their Queen? Explain your answer.

4. For THE EUROPEAN UNION:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) There is a migrant crisis in the EU. Read the “Background” and watch the videos under “Resources” Why are so many migrants making the journey to specific EU countries?
c) Why do you think the migrants cross over countries like Turkey to get to Western Europe (even though most of the migrants coming to traditionally Christian Western Europe are Muslim and Turkey is a Muslim country)?
d) What do you think the leaders of the EU need to do about this crisis? [open all borders, close all borders, give immediate asylum to all migrants, set up quotas for who will be taken in based on a person’s reasons for coming to the EU without documentation, attempt to solve the problems of the countries of origin (Syria), hold a crisis meeting at the UN and demand the world leaders come up with a solution…?] Explain your answer.
e) Ask a parent to answer c) and d) and discuss your answers.
f) Most of the recent news articlles about the EU crisis refer to "migrants."  What is the difference between a migrant and a refugee? (Read an explanation: www.studentnewsdaily.com/migrant-vs-refugee)