The Panel gives the Government independent advice on educating all parts of society about the need for sustainable development. It promotes good practice, shares information and encourages joint working between organisations. Notes to editors 1. The Sustainable Development Education Panel, established in February 1998, works to identify gaps, opportunities, priorities and partnerships for action in providing sustainable development education in England, and to highlight good practice. The Panel's three annual reports, together with commissioned studies and full responses to a range of government consultations, have covered education for sustainable development in further and higher education, life long learning, the professions, schools, workplaces and in youth work.
All appointments are for two years.
No appointees hold other Ministerial appointments of any kind, and Mr Richards, a member of the Labour Party, is the only appointee currently involved in political activity. Panel members are unpaid but may claim expenses at standard Civic Service rates. Today's appointments bring the Panel membership to 22, of whom nine are women, and three from ethnic minorities. The appointment process was the subject of independent scrutiny in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments guidance. The Panel's Chair is Sir Geoffrey Holland KCB, Vice Chancellor of Exeter University.