Ideas For Action

CENTRE FOR POLICY ON AGEING
Nuffield Lodge,
Regents Park,
London NW1 4RS
Tel: 01-722 8871

AIMS

To promote better services for older people. To stimulate awareness of the needs of older people,

To formulate and promote policies and to encourage the spread of good practice.

CPA primarily serves people who are responsible for the planning and implementation of national and local public policy.

METHODS

To influence public policy by a programme of publications. seminars and meetings, and by maintaining close contact with senior government officials, Our policy analysis work includes original research and great emphasis is placed on contact with people working in the field

SUCCESSES

Recent projects include civil liberties in old age (published as Rights and Risk). services for elderly people with mental illness, transport and the home help service, We are active in promoting educational opportunities for older people and are much involved in the University of the Third Age projects. Homes Advice, our service to non-statutory old people’s homes, is in contact with 3,500 such homes in the UK where it is helping to raise standards,

The Information Service, Britain’s largest library on all aspects of ageing. issues a range of publications about the subject, Recently it sponsored the new journal Ageing and Society

FAILURES

As a relatively small organization with a restricted budget, we are unfortunately unable to tackle some of the policy issues which give us considerable concern.

FUTURE PLANS

To cover local government services for elderly people, the needs of older people from ethnic minorities, the hospice movement the needs of older owner-occupiers and residential care. If funds permit, we should like to consider the major issues of retirement and income maintenance.

HELP NEEDED

Since our task is essentially an educational one, you can best help us by subscribing to our publications and using our information services.

Women and Development
Network of Australia
46 Delbridge Street
North Fitzroy 0368
Australia
Tel: (O3) 489 9069

AIMS

To examine the effects of social and economic change through development planning and aid upon poor and disadvantaged women. particularly women in Third World countries.

To act in solidarity with women in the Third World, promoting their right to define their own problems and determine their own needs.

To encourage awareness among the public and in aid and development agencies of issues that relate to women, development and aid, including the relationship between the status of women in such agencies and the priorities accorded to women in development planning and allocation of aid.

METHODS

Establishing communication links with groups of Third World women and international and national organizations sharing our concerns. Acting as a ‘broker’ to locate funding and other forms of help and support for programmes which assist the economic self reliance of women or which combat injustice against women. Collecting and disseminating information on issues relating to women and development to promote a feminist perspective on these. Publishing a quarterly newsletter, special case studies, sponsoring public forums and specialist Workshops, lobbying nationally and internationally. Working in co-operation with aid and development agencies and women’s organizations to achieve justice and autonomy for women,

SUCCESSES

Since the Lowanna Conference of August 1981 at which we were founded, we have six state network groups linking women in aid and development agencies, research workers and others concerned, A full-time programme co-ordinator was appointed in May 1982.

FAILURES

We have yet to establish internal consensus on our priorities. To involve a wider cross section of women in our network.

FUTURE PLANS

To extend our links with Third World women’s groups and women’s organizations sharing our aims.

HELP NEEDED

Information on the effects of planned social and economic development, aid programmes and other kinds of directed social change upon women. Addresses of women and women’s groups who share our concerns.

World Studies Project
c/o One World Trust
24 Palace Chambers
Bridge Street
London SW1
Tel: 01 -930-7661

AIMS

To encourage and assist teachers to introduce a world dimension into schools.

To help young people feel involved in the welfare of world society and to tackle its problems as their own.

To counteract racism and militarism in schools

METHODS

The project works mainly with teachers, organizing workshops and courses and coordinating Working groups in many different parts of Britain.

It is at present collaborating with the Centre for Peace Studies at St Martin’s College. Lancaster. on the development of teaching methods and approaches for 8-13 year oIds.’

SUCCESSES

After nine years the term World Studies is widely understood and accepted and government funding is supporting the present phase of work,

Three main publications have been produced: Learning for Change in World Society – Reflections, Activities, Resources; Debate and Decision – Schools in a World of Change; and Ideas into Action - Curriculum for a Changing World. All have sold well to teachers in Britain and many other countries. Our most recent publication: Planning and Teaching World Studies: an Interim Guide; is in widespread demand.

The project has pioneered a style of course emphasizing participation and self-reliance which is gaining widespread acceptance,.

The programme for teachers of 8-13 year oIds has, after 18 months, established co-ordinators in 30 different areas of the country.

FAILURES

With only one or two staff available at any one time the project’s influence has been too gradual, too small, The jingoism and prejudice shown during the Falklands War showed the size of the task that remains,

FUTURE PLANS

To establish and coordinate a country-wide network of teacher groups. To publish a classroom handbook.

HELP NEEDED

We need to make more links with teachers and similar groups in other countries. World Studies operating in single-country isolation is a nonsense.