How the United Nations Works

In October 2026 the UN Security Council began marking the five permanent members’ ballots in red as it searched for the next Secretary-General. This film explains the organisation behind the headlines: why the League of Nations failed, how fifty countries wrote the UN Charter in 1945, what the General Assembly can and cannot do, how fifteen Council votes and five vetoes work, what peacekeepers are, and how a Secretary-General is chosen. Cast votes in the Assembly, run a Council vote and hold your own straw poll.

193 countries, one room

Who decides at the United Nations?

After two wars

The first try at a world club failed.

One country, one vote

The biggest room has the softest power.

Fifteen seats, five vetoes

The body whose decisions all members must carry out.

Blue helmets

Soldiers lent by countries, to keep a peace.

The world’s top diplomat

Half chief administrator, half voice of the world.

A club of rivals

Built so that rivals keep talking.

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