MINIGUIDE World Health Organization
+
Ministry of Magic
The Ministry of Magic is the governing body of the magical community in Great Britain. The
Ministry takes responsibility for all magic in the United Kingdom in addition to taking on the
responsibility of protecting the British non-magical population, otherwise known as muggles. Founded
in 1707, the Ministry of Magic was the successor to the Wizards’ Council. The headquarters are
located in Whitehall in London, England.
The Ministry is also responsible for classifying the Unforgivable Curses, of which there are three:
the Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra), the Cruciatus Curse (Crucio), and the Imperius Curse (Imperio).1 It is
important to note that no members of the Ministry are permitted to engage in any form of dark magic
including the usage of the Unforgivable Curses, seeing as that will be breaking magical law. All
offenders immediately lose their position within the Ministry and are promptly sentenced to life in
Azkaban, the wizarding jail.
Although protection is a part of the Ministry’s official duties, the Ministry of Magic is also tasked
with maintaining the anonymity of all wizards, beasts, and other elements of magic, so as to prevent
clashes with the muggle world. However, it must be noted that during times of prolonged darkness,
the Ministry has worked directly with the Muggle Prime Minister.
1 Harry Potter Wiki. “Unforgivable Curses” harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Unforgivable_Curses
PAGE 2 MINIGUIDE World Health Organization
+ Research Questions
You can find the Main Departments of the Ministry of Magic listed below:
● Magical Law Enforcement
● Magical Accidents and Catastrophes
● Committee on Experimental Charms Personnel
● Magical Transportation
● Mysteries
● Magical Games and Sports
● Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
● International Magical Cooperation
● Improper Use of Magic Office
● Department for Use of Muggle Technologies
Wizengamot (wizarding Britain’s high court of law; up to 50 members)
PAGE 3 MINIGUIDE World Health Organization + Topic 1 The Economy
In the wake of the 1994-1995 Triwizard Tournament, it is no secret that financial times are difficult.
Despite the best intentions of the Department for International Magical Cooperation and the
Department of Magical Games and Sports, the aftermath of the tournament has not brought the boon
the Ministry had expected. Although initial gains were made in tourist revenue, we have seen our
resources drained with little to nothing to show for our years of planning.
In fact, not only did the Triwizard Tournament drain our financial supply, but it likewise caused a
loss of support for our governing body. We must not forget the tragic loss of life sustained during the
Triwizard Tournament in the form of Hogwarts’ student, Cedric Diggory. As a result of Diggory’s death,
we have received numerous letters of discontent from parents as well as letters of resignation from
Hogwarts professors who have refused to teach at a school “lacking priority for human life.” It would
behoove us to ensure that no more professors leave as a result of our miscalculations after Cedric’s
unfortunate passing because this potential brain drain could have catastrophic consequences.
Which brings us to our most pressing concern at hand: the allegations that the Dark
Lord has returned. The rumors surrounding the final task of the Triwizard Tournament and Harry
Potter’s claims, though yet to be verified by the Ministry, have produced a profound fear in the magical
world. As a result, people are pulling their funds out of Gringotts Wizarding Bank at an alarming pace.
Without appropriate reserves, Gringotts will be unable to give out loans and the financial system could
PAGE 4 MINIGUIDE World Health Organization
collapse. Moreover, if the allegations surrounding He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named are in fact real, a lack
of resources could very well bring our downfall. However, to maintain our people’s confidence and
trust, we must assume that these allegations are surely false
.
+ Research Questions
● What are effective ways to manage the current inflation crisis?
● How can we generate confidence in our economy and in our people with rumors of dark magic
are more popular topics of conversation?
● What precautions should we take to investigate the rumors surrounding the return of the Dark
Lord? What resources can be allocated to this investigation?
PAGE 5 MINIGUIDE World Health Organization + Topic 2 The Relationship with the Muggle World
As previously mentioned, it is the Ministry of Magic’s responsibility to conceal the actions and
lives of those in the magical world. However, the two worlds still come into contact. Indeed each day
wizards bump shoulders with Muggles in the streets of London and our close cooperation with
previous Prime Ministers should not be downplayed.
The rise in the sophistication and proliferation of Muggle technology means that now more than
ever Muggles are aware of their surroundings. News articles alert them to the slightest disturbances
which can be shared at alarming speeds. We never anticipated that such technological advances
would occur this quickly. To manage, we developed the Department for Use of Muggle Technologies,
but we are still processing mountains of data. The speed that information is now shared offers less and
less time for the employees of the Obliviator Headquarters to rectify Muggle memories or for the
Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee to publicize their explanations.
In our last meeting with the Prime Minister, he expressed his concern that Muggles were
picking up more on the unexplainable coincidences around them . Rumblings on the deep Internet
have also alerted us of this very real possibility. However, at this time, we do believe that the situation is
under control.
Although the Ministry has a department in charge of repairing relations with Muggles, the job of
maintaining a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship with the Muggle world is a bigger
PAGE 6 MINIGUIDE World Health Organization
responsibility than the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes could ever handle alone.
With a rise in terrorism tied to Death Eaters, the workload to protect Muggles from any magical harm
has become overly burdensome. We must work together within the Ministry to ensure that we can still
contain our world.
+ Research Questions
Should we take steps to hide our magic and limit interaction with muggles?
What are the merits of increased cooperation with other magical ministries?
How can we best understand Muggle technology to avoid breaches of sensitive magical
information?
PAGE 7 MINIGUIDE World Health Organization + Sources & Further Readings
Gov.UK. “Ministry of Magic.” Accessed September 5, 2016. http://www.ministryofmagic.co/
Harry Potter Wiki. “British Ministry of Magic” Accessed September 5, 2016. http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/British_Ministry_of_Magic
Pottermore. “The Ministry of Magic” Accessed September 5, 2016. https://www.pottermore.com/explore-the-story/the-ministry-of-magic
Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Wikipedia. “The Ministry of Magic.” Accessed September 5, 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Magic#Department_of_Magical_Accidents_and_Catastrophes
PAGE 8