SOPHIE BUCKLE & BEN HABIB.

On Friday 12th August 2011, Our Voice: Politics Albury-Wodonga’s Sophie Buckle and Ben Habib visited the Albury-Wodonga chapter of the University of the Third Age.

U3A is a global umbrella organisation for local learning cooperatives of older people that encourage healthy ageing by enabling members to participate in educational, creative and leisure activities.

There are no teachers and students, exams, certificates or degrees.  The aim is for members with a common interest to get together to learn from one another.

Although U3A is called a “university”, it is designed for those in their Third Age, ie active retirees.  The third age refers to the period of time after the first age of childhood dependence and the second age of employment and parental responsibility.

During their visit, Ben Habib delivered a presentation to U3A members on politics in the Middle East, while Sophie Buckle conducted an interview with U3A Albury-Wodonga committee members Don Cocks and Lyle Wright, exploring the activities of and the philosophy behind U3A.

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DOWNLOAD AUDIO: Interview – Sophie Buckle in conversation with Don Cocks & Lyle Wright.mp3

DOWNLOAD AUDIO: Ben Habib – U3A presentation on the politics of the Middle East.mp3

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Ben and Sophie would like to thank members of the Albury-Wodonga U3A for their warm hospitality.  We thoroughly enjoyed out visit!

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Further Information:

University of the Third Age in Albury-Wodonga

c/o Albury Wodonga Community College

63 High Street, Wodonga, 3690

Postal Address: PO Box 129, Wodonga, 3689

Phone: (02) 6043 8217

Email: u3a@awcc.edu.au

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Dr. Benjamin Habib is a Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at La Trobe University, Albury-Wodonga. Ben’s research project projects include North Korea’s motivations for nuclear proliferation, East Asian security, international politics of climate change, and undergraduate teaching pedagogy. He also teaches in Australian politics and the international relations of the Middle East.  Ben undertook his PhD candidature at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, and has worked previously for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.  He has spent time teaching English in Dandong, China, and has also studied at Keimyung University in Daegu, South Korea.  Ben is involved with local community groups Wodonga and Albury Toward Climate Health (WATCH) and Transition Albury-Wodonga.

Sophie Buckle is a second year Bachelor of Arts student at La Trobe University, Albury-Wodonga campus.  She is a member of the student-run People’s Action Club (PAC) and regular contributor to Our Voice: Politics Albury-Wodonga.

Ben and Sophie welcome constructive feedback.  Please comment below, or contact Ben at b.habib@latrobe.edu.au.

 The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of Our Voice: Politics Albury-Wodonga.

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