The UK and international institutions

This page is a compare-and-contrast page.

Learn it in this order

• Commonwealth
• Council of Europe
• United Nations
• NATO

The idea

This page is a compare-and-contrast page.

Do not mix the organisations up. Commonwealth is voluntary cooperation. Council of Europe is human rights. UN is peace and security. NATO is defence.

Test facts to know

• The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of countries that cooperate around democracy and development.
• The King is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth.
• The Commonwealth has 56 member states in the current material and can suspend members.
• The Council of Europe protects and promotes human rights and has 46 member countries in the current material.
• The European Convention on Human Rights is linked with the Council of Europe.
• The United Nations was formed after the Second World War to prevent war and support peace and security.
• The UK is one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
• NATO is an alliance of European and North American countries that agree to help each other if attacked.

How questions may test it

• Distinguish Commonwealth, Council of Europe, UN and NATO.
• Identify the King as ceremonial head of the Commonwealth.
• Recognise the UK as a permanent UN Security Council member.
• Identify NATO as a mutual-defence alliance.

Key terms

Commonwealth, Council of Europe, European Convention on Human Rights, United Nations, UN Security Council, NATO.