New
New
Year 11

What is the UK's relationship with international organisations?

I can explain what the main functions, benefits and obligations are of international organisations and their relationship to the UK.

New
New
Year 11

What is the UK's relationship with international organisations?

I can explain what the main functions, benefits and obligations are of international organisations and their relationship to the UK.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The UK is part of key international organisations such as the UN, NATO, WTO, the Commonwealth.
  2. International organisations help with peace, defence, trade and development, both nationally and globally.
  3. Membership gives the UK benefits like influence, trade access, defence support and military training.
  4. The UK also has obligations, like paying membership fees, following rules and upholding shared values.
  5. Working with others through collaboration helps the UK stay safe and respected in the global community.

Keywords

  • International organisation - a group of countries that agree to work together on shared goals such as peace, trade, defence or development

  • Benefit - a positive result or advantage that the UK gains from being a member of something

  • Obligation - a duty or responsibility

Common misconception

International organisations like NATO or the UN control the UK Government and make all its decisions.

International organisations can influence the UK, but they do not have power to make decisions for the UK Government.


To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: What is the UK's relationship with international organisations?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use memory games to make sure pupils know what each acronym for the international organisations stand for.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the type of sentence with its example.
Correct Answer:community order,doing unpaid work or following certain rules

doing unpaid work or following certain rules

Correct Answer:electronic tagging,wearing a device to monitor movements

wearing a device to monitor movements

Correct Answer:fine,paying money as punishment for a crime

paying money as punishment for a crime

Q2.
Which sentence is most likely for a first time minor shoplifting offence?
life imprisonment
Correct answer: community order
ten years in prison
five years in prison
Q3.
The of Law makes sure that law is applied equally.
Correct Answer: Rule
Q4.
Which of these is a role of legal professionals in the justice system?
making new laws in UK Parliament
deciding who is guilty without evidence
Correct answer: following correct legal procedures in court
arresting people who have committed crimes
Q5.
Order the Act that was passed in 2024.
1 - The
2 - Post
3 - Office
4 - (Horizon System)
5 - Offences
6 - Act
7 - 2024
Q6.
The justice system supports both the victim and the by allowing fair representation in court.
Correct Answer: accused

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word with its definition.
Correct Answer:international organisation,a group of countries that agree to work together on shared goals

a group of countries that agree to work together on shared goals

Correct Answer:benefit,a positive result or advantage the UK gains from being a member

a positive result or advantage the UK gains from being a member

Correct Answer:obligation,a duty or responsibility the UK agrees to carry out

a duty or responsibility the UK agrees to carry out

Q2.
Which of these organisations focuses on the defence of its member countries, mainly in Europe and North America?
WTO
Correct answer: NATO
Commonwealth
ICC
Q3.
The UK is part of an international organisation that promotes trade and resolves disputes.
Correct Answer: fair
Q4.
The UK has a seat on the Security Council of which international organisation?
WTO
Correct answer: UN
NATO
Commonwealth
Q5.
The UK must pay fees and follow rules as part of its to international organisations.
Correct Answer: obligations, obligation
Q6.
Order the statement about a peacekeeping international organisation.
1 - The UK
2 - is encouraged
3 - to support
4 - the
5 - peacekeeping activities
6 - of the
7 - United Nations.