Inclusion is a major theme within the PASCAL world and a series within the Learning City Networks (LCN) program.  Over the past year, activities as part of this Inclusion series have been held in the cities of Townsville, Glasgow, Bristol, Melbourne and now Brisbane.  The topics have ranged across local government development, smart campuses to supporting young people and improving mental health through community learning.

This symposium will bring together key presenters to delve into matters of brain science, being 'tech savvy', U3A learning, men's sheds and provision through public libraries for those in the 50+ years.  With an ageing population, translation of strategies into practical implementation of self-directed to facilitated continuing learning is an imperative to go forward for a quality and engaged society. 

'Seniors as Lifelong Learners' is a hot topic for educational and cultural institutions, local government, state policy makers and community builders/bodies.

Learning through life and into the post-retirement years is essential to maintain active minds and quality of life. The OECD has found a significant link between continuing to learn for one’s own interests with improved wellbeing, health, sociability and empowerment. The converse is that in the absence of learning and poor education, there is an association with loneliness and decreased cognitive function.

Mr Peter Kearns OAM, FACE will introduce panel speakers for this 'Seniors as Lifelong Learners Symposium' and also will facilitate a conversation in response to the stimuli from panellists. Those involved in fostering lifelong learning out of diverse settings will find this conversation about embedding a learning culture for a strong learning society to which we must aspire, a valuable professional learning experience.

Guest speakers

• Professor Liz Coulson, Group Leader - Nerve Cell Survival, QLD Brain Institute: What neuroscience tells us.
• Ms Nancy-Lee Robinson, General Manager - Digital Inclusion, Telstra Chief Sustainability Office: Tech Savvy Seniors.
• Ms Julie Porteous, President – U3A Network QLD Inc. & Chair – U3A Australia Alliance: Learning for pleasure.
• Mr Graeme Curnow, President – QLD Men’s Shed Association: Shoulder to shoulder: There's more to men's sheds than bench work.
• Ms Laura Landmann, Coordinator – Information and Learning, Library Services, Brisbane City Council: Engaging seniors in public libraries.

Cost: FREE

Please register online at http://www.austcolled.com.au/events/event/seniors-as-lifelong-learners-s...
Registrations close: 22 March 2016

For refreshments upon arrival, the Library Café will be open and water will be available in the auditorium.
For attendees of this event the Library Bookstore offers a 10 per cent discount on purchases.

Contact: ACE National Office [email protected] (03) 9035 5473

This 'Seniors as Lifelong Learners' symposium is part of the QLD State Library’s 2016 Belonging initiative and sits within the PASCAL International Observatory Learning Cities Networks’ Inclusion series.