The European Union (EU)
It is a partnership between
Year founded: 1951
Current Number of
Countries involved: 27
Main Roles:
1) Creates a single
economy in which all
members participate.
2) Act as a single voice in
the world for its
member countries.
Reason(s) it exists:
countries in Europe that is
designed to help them
avoid conflict by making
them dependent on each
other.
Examples of what it
does:
1) All countries use
the Euro for
currency.
2) Each government
has its own
representative in
the EU to help
make decisions.
 International Monetary Fund
(IMF) Reason it exists:
To ensure the stability of the
international monetary system so
countries can transact with each
other.

Year founded: 1944

Current Number of countries involved: 189

Main roles:
1) Keeps track of the
global economy
and economies of
its members.
Examples of what it does:
2) Provides loans to
1) Promotes international
members
monetary cooperation.
experiencing
2) Financial assistance helps
financial issues
stabilize currency, pays for
while trying to
imports, and restores strong
correct problems.
economic growth.
 North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA)
Year founded: 1994
Current Number of countries
involved: 3
Main roles:
1) Eliminate taxes on imports
and exports between three
countries.
2) Resolve trade disputes.
Reasons it exists:
To remove trade barriers
between the United States,
Mexico, and Canada.
Examples of what it
does:
1) US and Canada can
buy products from
Mexico for cheaper
and vice versa.
2) More government
cooperation
because of
economic link.
 Organization of Petroleum
Reasons it exists:
Exporting Countries (OPEC) To coordinate the petroleum
policies of its members and to
Year founded: provide members with
1960 technical and economic aid.
Current Number
of countries
involved: 11

Examples of what it
does:
1) Members increase
output if other
Main Roles: members fall short.
1) Ensure oil price stability in the 2) Constantly
world market and revenue for oil monitors the world
producers. oil supply to react
2) Efficient supply to consuming appropriately when
countries with a fair return to needed.
investors.
World Health Organization
Reasons it exists:
(WHO)
Part of the UN.
Works to improve
health. Conducts
research to eliminate
disease and develop
health care systems.
Year founded: 1948

Current Number of countries

involved: 193

Examples of what it
does:
1) Compiles stats about
Main Roles: leading causes of
1) Gather data about health death in the world.
around the world 2) Makes sure as many
2) Sponsors many health kids as possible are
programs immunized.
 The World Bank
Reasons it exists:
To help poor to middle income
countries get the money they
need to build improvements
that will help reduce poverty.

Year founded: 1944

Current Number of countries

involved: 187

Examples of what it
does:
1) Helps countries get
loans and special
Main roles: financing for
1) Improve living conditions projects.
2) Giving money with
in countries with
moderate financial no interest. Helped
resources. provide fertilizer to
2) Improve conditions in
grow food for a
the poorest countries in country.
the world.
 The World Trade
Organization (WTO) Reasons it exists:
Organization opens trading. A forum
for trade negotiations and a place to
settle disputes.

Year founded: 1995

Current Number of countries

involved: 162

Examples of what it
does:
1) Helping open
markets for trade.
Main roles:
2) Produce documents
1) Monitoring national trade policies.
to provide legal
2) Handling trade disputes ground rules for
international trade.