Issue 31
Autumn 2008
STRAY NEWS
U3A National Conference and AGM.
Swansea University, September 7th-
To mark the 25th Anniversary of The Third Age Trust, and to celebrate the diversity within the U3A movement.
Professor Richard Davies, Vice Chancellor of Swansea University, and President of Swansea U3A welcomed the conference.
Discussion groups focused upon the diversity and inclusiveness of the U3A movement, and addressed the issues this raises. Some of the questions discussed included, “Is diversity leading us away from serious learning? Why don’t we have more general appeal? Should we actively encourage more inclusiveness? Do we need to change policy and procedures to safeguard the ethos of the U3A at a time of rapid growth?”
A wide range of seminars was on offer. The seminar run by the President of IAUTA (the International Association of U3As), of which all UK U3As are members through the Third Age Trust, was fascinating. IAUTA’s role is: to encourage the development of Lifelong Learning through the U3A movement worldwide; to promote intergenerational activity and international research in relation to increasing longevity, and to provide an international framework for discussion of ideas through conferences and publications.
There are five main models of the U3A worldwide: Anglo Saxon, French North American, South American, Chinese and Vellas (the original French version). To find out more go to www.aiuta.org
Danny Saunders, Professor of Lifelong Learning and a specialist in Psychology and Education, at Glamorgan University looked at the issues affecting the Three Ages of Learning, the Skills Agenda, the wider benefits of Lifelong Learning, and potential ways forward. The theme of his talk can be summarised by his quote from Albert Einstein “Learning is not a product of school, but the lifelong attempt to acquire it.”
Peter Kingston, Further Education Editor of The Guardian, charted the recent trends in adult education, including the loss of 1.5 million adult education places, in a polished and provocative presentation.
The AGM followed the usual format of reports and elections to the NEC. Jean Goodeve and Terrie Hardie were returned unopposed as Chairman and Treasurer respectively. Barbara Lewis and Ian Searle were elected as Vice Chairmen.
Anne Firth (Doncaster U3A) is to be the Trustee for the “Yorkshire and the Humber Region”
After much debate of the resolutions and amendments, the following were accepted:
“We urge the Trust to encourage members of neighbouring U3As to develop working links where it is to their mutual benefit.”
The proposed increase in the Capitation Fee to £3.50 should be delayed until 1st April 2010.
NB This represents a postponement of one year on the original resolution. The Harrogate U3A Committee, expecting the original resolution to be adopted, agreed to play safe, and raised our annual subscription. At Conference an amendment was accepted. Any adjustment to the subscription, prompted by this, will be made next year.
Janet Coatman, Chairman