The united nations security council

1. CCEA GCSE Unit 2: Resource Pack
Government and
Politics
The United Nations Security Council
GCSE
For first teaching from September 2017

3. 1
GCSE Government and Politics: Resource Pack
The United Nations Security Council
Introduction
This pack has been developed to help support the teaching and learning of the United Nations Security
Council which is part of Unit Two in GCSE Government and Politics. The specification content for
this is:
• The UN Security Council: Its origins and aims; the decision-making process, including the right
to veto.
• The role of the United Kingdom in the United Nations.
• Different ways in which the UN Security Council attempts to establish and maintain peace and
security.
• The effectiveness of the UN Security Council in resolving conflict.
This Resource Pack contains two activities which could be used to support the teaching of the UN
Security Council (UNSC). For each activity, you will find teacher guidance and instructions for
students. Some brief background information for each activity is also provided for students.

4. 2
Activity One: The UN in Rwanda – Success or Failure?
One of the main responsibilities of the UNSC is to intervene in conflict situations to protect the civilian
population and to bring the conflict to an end. The UN intervened in Rwanda in response to a genocidal
conflict that had broken out. The success or failure of the UN’s actions in Rwanda have been debated
since then and this first activity is based on this.
This activity aims to allow students to make an informed judgement on the UN’s actions in the face of
the genocide and ‘ethnic cleansing’ that took place in Rwanda. The activity is based around the film
Hotel Rwanda and having access to a copy of the film is essential. Students may be interested to know
that Belfast-born Terry George was the Director and Screenwriter of the film.
http://www.movies.com/hotel-rwanda/details/m7368
Instructions to Students
• With your teacher, you will watch the film “Hotel Rwanda”.
• As well as enjoying the drama of the film you should pay attention to how the film portrays
the role of the UN in the conflict.
• Make notes of how the film portrays the UN’s role as you are watching; the video can be
paused to allow you to do this.
• In groups of three, complete the sheet that your teacher will give out after the film.
• At the end, each group should try to make a judgement on whether what the UN did was a
success or failure.
Teacher Guidance
• Show the class the film, allowing them to pause and rewind at points where the UN’s role is
being portrayed.
• After the film, divide the class into groups of three.
• Hand out the template below.
• Each group is to complete a template and to arrive at a conclusion on whether the UN’s
actions were a success or failure.
• As a follow-up activity, the class could debate the issue of the UN’s role in Rwanda.

5. 3
The UN in Rwanda
When did the UN intervene in Rwanda?
What form did its intervention take?
When did it end?
Having watched Hotel Rwanda, identify how the film represents the positives and negatives of the
UN’s actions.
Positives Negatives
Conclusion: was the UN’s role in Rwanda a success or failure?

6. 4
Activity Two: “Nuclear Nightmare”
In this activity students will be required to take the role of a top UN official who has to produce a
report for the UN Security Council recommending what action should be taken. The report is a
response to the actions of a “rogue” state that is not a UN member and has been under the control of
the same ruthless family for decades. The state has developed nuclear weapons and its new “Supreme
Leader” is threatening to use the weapons against neighbouring countries and to launch long-range
attacks on western states as well. The language of the new leader is extremely threatening. Practice
launches of missiles have been carried out. Neighbouring states have mobilised their armed forces and
western powers have moved warships into the area.
Instructions to Students
• The class will be divided into groups of four.
• Each group will take the role of a very senior UN official whose task is to complete a written
report for the UN Secretary General and the Security Council on the following scenario: a
“rogue” state that is not a UN member and has been under the control of the same ruthless
family for decades. The state has developed nuclear weapons and its new “Supreme Leader”
is threatening to use the weapons against neighbouring countries and to launch long-range
attacks on western states as well. The language of the new leader is extremely threatening.
Practice launches of missiles have been carried out. Neighbouring states have mobilised their
armed forces and western powers have moved warships into the area.
• In writing the report you should weigh up the pros and cons of different actions that can be
taken. Seek guidance from your teacher on what each option may involve.
• Having presented the options you should make a recommendation on what you think is the
best course of action.
Guidance for Teachers
• Present each group of four students with the list of options below.
• Allow students to debate each option themselves but offer guidance on the possible impact
of different courses of action.
• At the end of the task, each group is to produce a 500 word report for the Security Council,
recommending a course of action.
• As a follow up activity, the class can debate how the UN should respond to the situation in
the Korean Peninsula.

7. 5
The Office of the Secretary General
“State A”:
Options for Action
Increase the use of sanctions.
Pros
Cons
Pass a UN resolution condemning State A’s actions.
Pros
Cons
Secretary General to request a meeting with State A’s leader
Pros
Cons
Deployment of UN forces to neighbouring states
Pros
Cons
Seek UN resolution to allow a member state to launch a pre-emptive nuclear attack on State A
Pros
Cons
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