The UK plays an active role in international organisations and has been a key player on the world stage for centuries. The test expects you to know which major organisations the UK belongs to and what they do.
Key facts
- The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 to promote international peace and security. The UK is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
- There are 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council: the UK, the US, France, Russia, and China.
- NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a military alliance. The UK is a founding member (1949).
- The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 countries, most of which were formerly part of the British Empire.
- The monarch is the Head of the Commonwealth, but this is a symbolic role - the Commonwealth has no political power over its members.
- The Council of Europe promotes human rights and democracy. It is separate from the European Union.
- The European Convention on Human Rights was drafted by the Council of Europe and is incorporated into UK law through the Human Rights Act 1998.
- The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020 (Brexit).
In depth
The UK is a prominent member of several major international organisations. The United Nations, founded in 1945 after World War II, aims to maintain international peace and security. The UK is one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, alongside the United States, France, Russia, and China - giving it significant influence in global affairs. NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was established in 1949 as a military alliance. The UK was a founding member, and NATO's principle of collective defence means that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.
The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of 56 countries, most of which have historical ties to the British Empire. The monarch serves as Head of the Commonwealth, though the role is symbolic and carries no political authority. The Commonwealth promotes democracy, human rights, and economic development among its members. The Council of Europe - which is separate from the European Union - works to protect human rights and democracy across Europe. It created the European Convention on Human Rights, which is part of UK law through the Human Rights Act 1998. The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020.
Remember Britain's international role and memberships: the UK belongs to the Commonwealth, the United Nations (with a permanent seat on the Security Council) and NATO. The Commonwealth is a group of countries, most of which were once part of the British Empire, that work together on shared interests.