Understanding the United Nations (UN)
- Mar 18
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Grade Level: 6-12
Duration of Video: 1 minute 55 seconds
Themes:
Global cooperation and peace
Democracy and human rights
Decision-making in international organizations
Diverse political systems
The United Nations (UN)
Civil Rights, World History
Photo: “Alley of Flags at the United Nations Office in Geneva.” Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Description:
This lesson introduces students to the United Nations, its purpose, structure, and key bodies (General Assembly and Security Council). Students explore the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, examine which countries are democracies, and research member states to discuss how political differences affect UN decision-making.
Video: How does the United Nations Work? (1:55)
Lesson Plan:
🎯 OBJECTIVES (SWBAT)
Read and discuss the purpose and structure of the United Nations.
Explain the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Explore how democracy and political differences affect UN decision-making.
Develop research and critical thinking skills through group work.
🧰 MATERIALS:
Student Worksheet 1 – Outline About the United Nations (Print for each student)
United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (provide link or print copy for each student)
Smart Board or projector with internet access for:
Student Worksheet 2: Questions for Research (Print for each student)
Paper, pencils, or devices for notetaking and group work
📋 LESSON FLOW
Introduction to the United Nations
Ask students:
What is the United Nations? What is its role?
Hand out: Student Worksheet 1 – Outline About the United Nations and review it with students.
Video Introduction
Tell students: We will now watch a short video about the structure of the UN.
Before watching the video, ask students:
Why do you think countries choose to work together through the United Nations instead of working alone?
Show the video: How does the United Nations Work?
Discussion Questions After the Video
If 193 countries vote in the UN General Assembly, what challenges might arise?
If only 43% of countries in the world are democracies [2], how might that impact the decision-making in the UN?
How meaningful are the values promoted by the UN in the real world?
Explore UN Member States
Say: Let’s take a look at which 193 countries are represented in the UN.
On the Smart Board, click on the website entitled UN Member States and show students how to search for UN member countries. Then ask students to look at the website with their seat partner and investigate which countries are in the UN.
Reunite the class and ask:
Does the UN have countries from many regions of the world?
Do these countries have different types of governments?
Explore Democracy Around the World
Say: Let’s explore which countries in the world are democracies by using the
Freedom House interactive map.
On the Smart Board, click on this link entitled Freedom House Map
and show students how to get information about each country. Show students how to click on each country in this interactive map to get more information about it.
Say: See how this map evaluates countries based on:
Political rights
Civil liberties
Democratic freedoms
Say: Countries are categorized as:
Free
Partly Free
Not Free
Group Research Assignment
Divide students into groups of 3-4 students each.
Each group should:
Choose three countries from different regions of the world using the UN Member States list.
Look up those countries using the Freedom House Map.
Examine their democracy status and human rights conditions.
Student Worksheet 2: Questions for Research
Reunite Class
Have each group share their answers from Student Worksheet 2: Questions for Research with the whole class.
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