08 October 2010

Embedding sustainable development across Government, after the Secretary of State's announcement on the future of the Sustainable Development Commission
Written evidence submitted by DEA and Oxfam (ESD 01)

1. About DEA
1.1 DEA is an education charity that promotes global learning. We work to ensure that people in the UK learn about global issues such as poverty and climate change and develop an open-minded, global outlook. DEA defines global learning as education that puts learning in a global context, fostering:
. critical and creative thinking;
. self-awareness and open-mindedness towards difference;
. understanding of global issues and power relationships; and
. optimism and action for a better world.
1.2 DEA is a membership body, with over 150 organisational members including subject associations, universities, local authorities and many development and environment NGOs in the UK.
1.3 DEA is submitting this evidence in partnership with Oxfam. This submission has been developed in consultation with Oxfam's UK campaigns department, and represents the views of both organisations.
2. Summary
2.1 We recommend that:
. The Environmental Audit Committee inquiry focuses on the role of Government in promoting awareness and take-up of sustainable development throughout civil society, as well as focusing on the government's own operations or estate.
. To facilitate this wider role, the inquiry considers how the architecture of government can be more effectively coordinated across departments, taking the draft Global Learning Strategy for Schools as an example of a useful mechanism for coordination.
. Specifically with regard to putting sustainability at the heart of education, the inquiry explores how the Department for Education can build on the legacy of the successful National Framework for Sustainable Schools to support all schools to become sustainable schools.

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