Education/or the elderly : a right or obligation? [Book review]

Abstract

This volume consists of papers read at an international conference organised by the University of the Third Age in Malta. The aim of the conference was to "focus attention on whether the education of the older person was in itself a fundamental right, and consequently to be provided by society, or whether the onus fell more on the older person himself (sic)" (p. vii). Three of the first four papers, the ones by Peter Laslett, Kenneth Wain and Alfred Cuschieri, are of a very high calibre. Every adult educator would acknowledge that they constitute a very positive step in responding to the void which is apparent in the literature on philosophical and pragmatic issues regarding older adult education (Lawson, 1992). I am referring here in particular to literature which focuses on the Universities of the Third Age. Peter Lasslett, Peter Laslett, being the keynote speaker, builds on a previous publication (1996: Chap. 10) to project the U3A movement as an effort to address inequality in educational opportunities and as representing an important contribution to the restructuring of education. Lasslet provides a useful account of the major differences between French and British U3As, assesses the benefit that older persons could get from joining the U3E, and gives an extensive overview of what are the philosophical and pedagogical aims of these universities.