In today's dynamic global economy, information of all kinds moves easily across local and international borders. This growing cultural and economic interdependence is affecting the choices young people face as they emerge into the world as adults. To prepare for their future participation in the global arena, U.S. students must understand and deeply respect that there is a world beyond U.S. borders. Moreover, middle school students are at an age where they are deciding what they believe, forming stronger opinions about the world around them, and exploring beyond their parents' views and ideas. Students seldom need to be coaxed into watching films. It is a media that evokes emotion and provokes stimulating discussion both inside and outside of the classroom.

Business facts about the U.S. in the global economy:

• By the year 2050, an estimated 40% of the world's population will be located in India and China combined.
• Multinational corporations cross and merge borders of countries under their brands. In 2005, an estimated 400,000 American IRS returns were prepared in India. Two of Microsoft's four major research centers are in Beijing and Bangalore.
• In 2025, 3 of the largest economies in the world will be in Asia. By that point in time India, China, Brazil will be the places U.S. young people will have to go to find jobs.
• Currently, the United States population consists of approximately 20 million 15-19 year olds, while China has approximately 90 million 15 -19 year olds.

Given that backdrop, what do these following facts tell us about U.S. students?

• In a recent pool, 25% of college-bound high school students could not name the ocean that separates the United States from Asia.
• Only 17% of American students polled could find Afghanistan on a map despite current U.S. activity in that region. Nearly twice as many knew the remote location of the television program "Survivor".
• Only half of all US high school students take more than a year of a foreign language. 6 in 10 young Americans don't speak a foreign language fluently.
• 20% of young Americans think Sudan is in Asia. (It's the largest country in Africa.)
• 48% of young Americans believe the majority population in India is Muslim. (It's Hindu-by a landslide.)
• Half of young Americans can't find New York on a map