Grade 7 Social Studies POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNANCE – GLOBAL GOVERNANCE Notes
GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
Subject: Social Studies — Topic: Political Development and Governance
Age: 12 (Kenya)
What is global governance? 🤝
Global governance means the way countries and groups work together to solve problems that affect the whole world — for example, war, trade, disease, and climate change. It is about rules, meetings, and organisations that help countries cooperate.
United Nations (UN)
Helps with peacekeeping, health, rights and development. Kenya is a member and Kenyan soldiers often join UN peacekeeping missions.
African Union (AU)
Works for peace and development in Africa. Kenya works with AU on peace, elections, and health issues.
East African Community (EAC)
Regional group including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and others. It helps with trade, transport and learning between neighbours.
Many groups (organisations, countries and people) work together like a team.
How global governance helps Kenya
- Peacekeeping: Kenyan troops join UN peace missions in other countries.
- Health: Global work helps control diseases like malaria and COVID-19.
- Trade: Rules and agreements make it easier to sell Kenyan tea, flowers and coffee abroad.
- Climate action: Countries agree to reduce pollution to protect Kenya from droughts and floods.
- Human rights: Global rules help protect children, women and minority groups.
How Kenya participates
Kenya participates by sending diplomats, signing treaties, sending soldiers to peace missions, and joining meetings in groups like the UN and AU. Kenyan NGOs and citizens also work with global groups.
Glossary (easy)
- Treaty: A written agreement between countries.
- Peacekeeping: Soldiers and police who help keep peace in troubled places.
- NGO: Non‑governmental organisation — groups that help people (for example, Red Cross).
- Sanction: A punishment countries put on others for bad actions (like trade limits).
Did you know?
Kenya has taken part in many UN peace missions. Kenyan peacekeepers have helped people in countries far from home.
Class activity ✍️
In groups, choose one global issue (climate, health, or trade). List 3 ways Kenya and the world can work together to solve it. Present for 3 minutes.
Short questions
- What is global governance in one sentence?
- Name two organisations that help with global governance.
- Give one example of how Kenya benefits from global agreements.
Created for Kenyan learners. Use the notes to discuss with your teacher or classmates.