The UK and International Organisations
The UK works with the rest of the world through six international organisations. Learn what the UN, NATO, the EU, the Council of Europe, the Commonwealth and the WTO do, how they affect the UK, and why the UK is no longer in the EU.
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Free interactive practice at using the material, which is what the marks are for.
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The UK on the world stage
No country stands alone. The UK works with others through international organisations to keep the peace, defend one another, trade and cooperate. The AQA course names six of them: the United Nations, NATO, the European Union, the Council of Europe, the Commonwealth and the World Trade Organisation. One important fact runs through this module: the UK has left the EU.
Four to start with
Learn what these four organisations do. You will meet the other two on the next screens.
Match the organisation
- The United Nations
- NATO
- The Commonwealth
- The World Trade Organisation
- Works for world peace and security
- A military defence alliance
- Links the UK with former British Empire countries
- Sets the rules for world trade
Which one did the UK leave?
The UK used to belong to one of these but has now left it. Which organisation?
- The European Union
- The United Nations
- NATO
- The Commonwealth
Two that get confused
The European Union and the Council of Europe sound alike but are completely separate bodies.
Match the fact
- The European Union
- The Council of Europe
- The UN Security Council
- NATO
- A union the UK has left
- Runs the European Court of Human Rights
- The UK has a permanent seat with a veto
- A military defence alliance
Remember: the UK left the EU
The UK was once a member of the European Union but has left it. It is still a member of the other five organisations, including the separate Council of Europe. Do not mix up the Council of Europe with the EU.
The UN, NATO and the UK
The _____ works for world peace, and the UK has a veto on its Security Council. _____ is a military defence alliance. The UK is a _____ member of the EU, because it left. The _____ links the UK with former British Empire countries. The _____ sets the rules for world trade.
True about the UK
Which of these statements are true? Choose all that apply.
- The UK has left the EU
- The UK has a permanent seat on the UN Security Council
- The UK is a member of NATO
- The UK has left the United Nations
- The Council of Europe is the same as the EU
Facts about the UN
Tap the two statements that are true of the United Nations.
- It aims to promote peace and security around the world.
- The UK is a permanent member of its Security Council.
- It is a military defence alliance.
- The UK left it in 2020.
Resolving a dispute
Put the steps the UN might take to help settle an international dispute into a sensible order.
- Countries raise the dispute at the UN
- The Security Council discusses it
- The UN calls for talks between the sides
- Peacekeepers may be sent if needed
- A lasting agreement is reached
The Council of Europe
Which statement about the Council of Europe is correct?
- It is separate from the EU and runs the European Court of Human Rights
- It is just another name for the EU
- The UK left it in 2020
- It sets the rules for world trade
Which body helps?
For each international situation, choose the organisation set up to deal with it.
- Two countries are close to war and the world wants to keep the peace. Which organisation?
- A member country is attacked and its allies must defend it together. Which organisation?
- Two nations disagree over the rules of trade between them. Which organisation?
One organisation, one effect
Explain one way an international organisation affects life in the UK. Name the organisation and describe what it does.
- Name one of the six organisations
- Describe what that organisation does
- Explain one way it affects the UK