Study Guides

Unit Summary

Pupils consider the role the UK plays in Europe and the wider world, exploring organisations such as the United Nations and WTO and examining what role the UK has in global problems.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain the organisation of the United Nations and the part that the UK plays in it.

Key Notes

• The UN was created after WWII and works through its members to tackle global challenges and support peace efforts.
• The General Assembly is made up of all UN Member States and allows every country an equal vote to discuss global issues.
• The Security Council maintains peace, with five permanent members and 10 rotating members.
• The UK is a permanent Security Council member with veto power and influence over peace and security decisions.
• The UK contributes troops and funding to UN peacekeeping and supports global action through the General Assembly.

Vocabulary To Learn

• United Nations (UN): an international organisation comprising most countries in the world which aims to promote peace, security and international cooperation
• Security Council: the UN Security Council is made up of 15 members, five permanent and 10 rotating; it is primarily responsible for international peace and security
• General Assembly: the main meeting of all UN Member States where each has one vote to discuss global issues and suggest actions
• permanent member: the five nations who permanently sit on the UN Security Council; they have the power to veto UN actions and decisions
• veto: the right to reject a decision or proposal

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• The UN can force countries to follow its decisions.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Is the UK still an important international power? Study Guide
• What is the UK's role in international courts? Study Guide
• What is the UK's role in NATO? Study Guide
• What is the UK's role in the Commonwealth? Study Guide
• What is the UK's role in the World Trade Organization? Study Guide