Do all nations work with international organisations?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain some international organisations and why some countries are not involved in them.
Key learning points
- International organisations each serve a different purpose such as promoting peace or supporting trade.
- Some of the major international organisations include the UN, WTO, NATO, EU and the Commonwealth.
- Not all countries are part of all international organisations; countries join based on values and needs.
Keywords
United Nations (UN) - an international organisation comprising of most countries in the world which aims to promote peace, security and international cooperation
World Trade Organization (WTO) - an international organisation which deals with global rules of trade between nations
European Union (EU) - an economic and political union between a number of European countries who work closely together
Commonwealth - an international association between the UK and the countries which were previously part of the British Empire
NATO - an international military defence organisation comprising of different countries who work together to try and settle disputes amongst nations
Common misconception
All countries are members of international organisations.
Countries have many reasons for not joining international organisations.
Teacher tip
Pupils often confuse each international organisation. Use recent, real-life examples to show each one in action as this helps pupils connect each organisation to a clear purpose and remember how they differ more easily.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What are universal human rights?
Q2.Which organisation created the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948?
Q3.The UDHR was drafted in 1948 by representatives from many different , making it a truly global agreement on human rights.
Q4.Which organisation helped turn human rights into law through the European Convention on Human Rights?
Q5.Match each international organisation to the main way it supports human rights.
investigates and campaigns against abuses
monitors rights globally and advises countries
researches and reports on violations worldwide
Q6.Amnesty International is a that investigates human rights abuses and campaigns to protect people's freedoms.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which organisation aims to promote peace and international cooperation?
Q2.Match each organisation to its main purpose.
shared history and development of countries
military defence and protection
trade rules and fair trade
economic and political union
Q3.The Organization helps set global trade rules and solves disputes between countries.
Q4.Put the following international organisations in order of size (by number of members in 2025), from largest to smallest.
Q5.Are all countries part of all international organisations?
Q6.Why might a country choose not to join an international organisation?
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: Do all nations work with international organisations?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 citizenship lesson on: Do all nations work with international organisations?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 citizenship lessons from the How do democratic systems work around the world? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.