I write to express my appreciation of the 22nd AIUTA-IAUTA Congress, which was held in Shanghai, 12-15 October, 2004. I was one of the eight members from Britain to attend. Our colleague Jean Thompson has already covered a number of aspects of the event. I would aim to echo some of her points and add a few of my own.

At the top of my list come the visits to the Schools and Universities for the Aged, which was so ably organised and managed by our Chinese hosts. We were able to enter into the activities and proceedings being carried out by the participants. When there was dancing, we mingled with the dancers. I particularly noticed the performance carried out by two women, dressed and adorned for a traditional song, backed by the group's own orchestra! The language group, who could talk to us in our own tongue, was another important event to stand out. In addition, there were singers accompanied by a pianist, craft activites of various kinds, not least of which included cookery with appetizingly prepared fare. Nor should I omit the dedicated calligraphers, the painters and the group learning computing. I was struck by the fitness of the participants in all the classes we entered. Corpulence seems not to be a Chinese problem (and may one hope that this situation can be maintained because of the positive health implications).

Secondly, I should like to discuss the Workshops. These yielded some of the most valuable material of all for me. Of the various presentations, perhaps I might draw particular attention to Rick Swindell's description of his work on a virtual U3A by means of online courses. Additionally outstanding was Simo Koskinen's work to prove how elderly people can carry out research at all its stages. Angela Leung's research on the dissemination of health concepts among older people was a further very interesting account. I was able to meet and exchange email addresses with these presenters and it may be that such interaction will lead to comparative research in the future. These are particularly exciting possibilities. Accounts of investigations, which are outside that programmed for presentation could, perhaps in future, be tabled as research papers, rather than overcrowding the planned slots.

A number of other lectures are well worth mention. For example, it was interesting to learn of the extent to which older people are now provided with educational facilities in China. The fact that much of this is aimed at providing skills and insights for life enrichment is an issue which many of us in the movement of third age education will heartily endorse.

The closing speeches at the Congress were well delivered and interesting in that they will further comparison between societies. For example, one could match Shirley Thew's account of the development of U3A in Britain with similar provision in Shanghai. The ceremony which ended the Congress must have entailed considerable planning and organisation. The songs, dances and fashion show were delightful and instructive. Thus we were enabled to see how older men could also display elegance in evening dress alongside the beatifully caparisoned ladies in evening gowns.

Other aspects of the overall organisation also call for praise. The young ladies in their yellow tabards helped to keep the participants in their right groups. The translators, with no little skill, coped with the three languages . The equipment provided for the translations worked flawlessly. The provision of food and drink was ably carried out and even my vegetarianism was catered for. The drivers of the coaches carried us through the traffic and brought us to the right places at the right time.

Perhaps I may close by seeking to draw attention to one of the wider goals of the Congress. International events provide opportunities for the development of friendship across national boundaries. By means of the help porovided by the various activities of the four days, there were opportunities to express our goodwill to the different forms which third age organisation can take. These differences indicate the strength of our unity in diversity. Internationalism is a spiritual quality of life. The Congress enabled that quality to manifest and grow.

Dr.T.S.Chivers
Worthing U3A,
England.