A report from Shirley Thew, UK, a member of the Third Age Trust National Executive and Chairman of the Standing Committee on Education.
 
  1) I feel that we arrived on the first day of the Congress poorly prepared, as we had no up-to-date programme, inaccurate details of the workshops and were not clear about registration procedures. I fully appreciate that problems had occurred, because of the SARS scare but feel that there was evidence of poor communication between our hosts and the AIUTA Board, which led to problems for the volunteers, as the Chinese programme was different from the AIUTA one. This also had an adverse effect on the organisation of workshops, with unscheduled speakers expecting to take part and having to be refused - hardly good for friendly international relations. However, I must stress that we were made very welcome by our hosts and that the Congress facilities were excellent, with good translation facilities, comfortable seating and excellent acoustics. The team of young helpers - les papillons jaunes - could not have been more helpful; their genuine interest in what we were about was heartening.

2) This is a personal comment. I question the wisdom of seating two UK delegates away from their friends at the Welcome Banquet, at a table with Chinese delegates who had neither English nor French and with two Italians, who clearly resented being separated from their compatriots. The one Chinese delegate with English spent most of the evening away from the table. It was therefore impossible to communicate with the Chinese, which resulted in an atmosphere which was gloomy, to say the least. The Farewell Banquet was informal and therefor more enjoyable.

3) The General Assembly meeting, attended by our group in good faith, was not a comfortable experience. If, as I understood it, we were entitled to be present, surely we were entitled to have an Agenda and the financial statement? The meetings were really fairly incomprehensible, the voting procedures reminded me of the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. As a UK delegate new to the procedures of Congress, I felt uncomfortable and unwelcome. I was certainly most unimpressed with the efficiency of the proceedings and left uninformed, wondering what exactly was the point. (I also realised that we are not that inefficient in the UK!)

4) The Workshops were, in the main, not workshops at all but presentations of lengthy papers, with the problems already mentioned. The Chinese art and craft workshops, all practical learning experiences, were far more effective. They were attended by all nationalities, which meant that delegates talked to one another and everyone achieved something; also, they were enjoyable. These workshops were very well organised, each teacher having brought a group from his/her class, who were there to help the delegates.

5) I found the plenary sessions interesting and well translated. Timing was not always observed, which gave problems for some speakers. My own experience of speaking was not as daunting as I had expected; I felt it a responsibility not to let the UK Way down. The final entertainment was lively and colourful. It was impossible to imagine members of my own U3A taking to the boards in quite that manner; the modelling presentation had such panache it was hard to realise that these were not professionals. I felt that the Chinese were really eager to show us how excellent they are and they succeeded.

6) The field trips were very enjoyable, as they gave us an opportunity to mingle with Chinese third agers. It was really interesting to see what they were doing - very privileged learners. Of course, we were not going to be shown anything other than the very best and most glossy schools. Nevertheless, it was fun to speak English with the learners in the English classes and to see the art work and the cookery. Our Chinese counterparts were very friendly; they seemed to be having a good time, despite being on show. We were included in some of the dancing, which was performed by ladies whose fitness and svelte physiques were most impressive.

Altogether, it was an interesting experience to attend this AIUTA Congress. I am left, however, wondering what, exactly, does AIUTA do? I feel that it should be possible for UK U3As and individual members, who wish to do so, to establish friendly and co-operative relations with U3As internationally. I know that some suggestions are being made about this but, personally, at this stage, would prefer not to make my own until we have had time to discuss this thoroughly. One thing I would say, though, is that I do NOT think it possible, feasible or desirable to host an AIUTA Congress in the UK.

Shirley Thew
 
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