International organisations
- The United Nations (UN), founded in 1945, promotes peace, security and human rights. The UK is one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, with the USA, China, France and Russia, each with a veto.
- NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), founded in 1949, is a military alliance. An attack on one member is treated as an attack on all.
- The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 countries, most of them former parts of the British Empire.
- The Council of Europe (separate from the EU) protects human rights through the European Convention on Human Rights.
- The World Trade Organization (WTO) sets rules for trade between countries.
The UK and the EU
- The UK joined the European Economic Community in 1973 and left the European Union on 31 January 2020, after the 2016 referendum.
- The UK now trades with the EU under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
The UK's role
- The UK gives international aid, takes part in peacekeeping, and uses diplomacy and sanctions.
- The UK helps resolve conflicts, for example through the UN, but decisions about military action are controversial.
Key terms
- United Nations
- An international organisation promoting peace, security and human rights.
- Security Council
- The UN body responsible for peace and security, with five permanent members.
- Veto
- The power to block a decision.
- NATO
- A military alliance of North American and European countries.
- Commonwealth
- A voluntary association of 56 countries.
- Sanctions
- Penalties such as trade restrictions used to pressure a country.
- International aid
- Help given by one country to another.