The UK's Role in the World and Global Rights

The UK in the wider world

No country stands alone. The UK works with other nations to keep the peace, trade fairly and respond to crises, and it belongs to several important international organisations. This module covers the UK's role in the world through those organisations, and the rights and responsibilities that arise in difficult global situations such as conflict.

Four global organisations

The UK belongs to four key international organisations:

What does the UN do?

Which statement best describes the main work of the United Nations?

• It works to keep international peace and protect human rights
• It sets the rules for international trade between countries
• It is a military alliance for the defence of its members
• It runs a sporting competition every four years

Match each organisation

The UK's memberships

Select the TWO statements that are true about the UK and international organisations.

• The UK is a permanent member of the UN Security Council
• The UK is a member of NATO, a military defence alliance
• The UK has left the United Nations
• The UK runs the World Trade Organisation on its own

Rights and responsibilities

In difficult global situations, especially conflict, rights have to be balanced against responsibilities.

The rules of war

Even war has rules. International humanitarian law, such as the Geneva Conventions, sets limits on how wars may be fought. It protects people who are not fighting: civilians, the wounded, and prisoners of war. Deliberately harming them is a war crime.

International humanitarian law

What is international humanitarian law?

• A set of rules that limit how wars are fought and protect civilians
• The rules that govern trade between different countries
• The laws each country makes for its own citizens
• A complete ban on every kind of warfare

Ways to respond

When disputes or disasters happen, the international community can respond in different ways:

Complete the picture

The _____ works to keep international peace, while _____ is a military alliance whose members defend one another. The rules that limit war and protect civilians are called international _____ law. When countries disagree, the UK can respond through peaceful talks, called _____, or through economic penalties, called _____.

How a response escalates

When countries are in dispute, the international community often responds in steps, from the least to the most forceful. Put these in order.

• Diplomatic talks and mediation to find agreement
• Economic sanctions to pressure the country
• Sending peacekeeping forces to keep the two sides apart
• Military force as a last resort

Spot the lawful actions

A country is at war. Tap the TWO actions that follow international humanitarian law.

• Soldiers deliberately target a hospital full of patients.
• Aid workers are let through to bring food and medicine to civilians.
• Prisoners of war are treated humanely and not tortured.
• Civilians are used as shields to protect a military base.
• The water supply is poisoned to force a surrender.

Which response fits?

Match each global situation to the best response or organisation.

• Two countries are close to war over a border. What should the international community try FIRST?
• A country ignores warnings and keeps breaking international law. Which non-military response can pressure it?
• After fighting in a war zone, who provides emergency relief and protection to civilians?

Explain the UK's role

Explain the UK's role in the wider world. Refer to the international organisations it belongs to and to how the international community responds to conflict.

• Name two organisations the UK belongs to, and give the role of each
• Explain one benefit and one responsibility of membership
• Describe how international humanitarian law protects civilians in war
• Give one way the international community can respond to a conflict, such as mediation, sanctions or force