§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Prime Minister what contribution each department currently makes to education in world citizenship. [44577]
§ The Prime MinisterAn Advisory Group on Education for Citizenship and the Teaching of Democracy in Schools has been established by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. It will advise on how schools can develop in their pupils an understanding of democratic institutions and practices at local and national level and an awareness and concern for world affairs and global issues. There are already requirements and opportunities in the National Curriculum for pupils to study global issues, particularly through geography, history and modern foreign languages.
329WThe Government have also established an Advisory Panel on Sustainable Development Education. This will consider education for sustainable development in schools, further and higher education, at work, during recreation and at home; and make practical recommendations for action in England. The Panel reports directly to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. Panel members are considering the relationship between citizenship education and education for sustainable development.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also jointly funds with the Department for International Development (DFID) the Chevening Scholarship programme. This enables some 3,000 overseas students to study in the UK each year. DFID also promotes greater participation of citizens in developing and transitional countries through their support for civil society, democratic reform and human rights—including the strengthening of legal systems.