Media Release
24 January 2017
The Getting of Wisdom Exchange: Focus on later life learning
National peak bodies for adult and community education, Adult Learning Australia (ALA) and ACE Aotearoa have combined
with a European-based network of researchers (ELOA) to host a unique series of study tours and one day conferences in
Ballarat (14 Feb), Melbourne (15 Feb) and Wellington (16 Feb). The Getting of Wisdom Exchange will focus on research into learning in later life and has attracted some of the best-known researchers in the field
from ten countries.
Adjunct Professor Barry Golding from Federation University Australia, one of the Conference’s major sponsors, says in
many areas of the world population ageing has increased the need for new and innovative ways to keep people independent
and well in later life. “What we do in Australasia is of considerable interest and relevance internationally.”
Professor Bernard Schmidt-Hertha from Germany, one of the leading European experts in the field says European
participants are looking forward to learning about how similar and different life is for older people ‘down under’, in
particular how a kaupapa Māori approach has shaped what is done in later life learning in Australia and New Zealand. He
says the Exchange is very much about learning from each other.
The Wellington Conference which will take place at Te Wharewaka, is a diverse international program which includes
presentations on Māori learning and eldership, international perspectives on learning in later life, and presentations
about older learning in Germany, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. It also includes presentations from Māori
and community organisations working with people in later life.
A field trip to the Wairarapa on February 17 will include a visit to the state of the art Henley Menz Shed in Masterton,
King’s St Artworks and Pukaha Mount Bruce Nature Reserve.
Information and day registration for the Wellington one day conference and Wairarapa field trip is available via the ACE
Aotearoa website http://www.aceaotearoa.org.nz/events/learning-empowerment-and-identity-later-life-wellington-16-february-2017