A Lifelong Lifeline? Friday, April 15, 2011 - 09:35

By 2025, it's estimated that over one-in-five (22 per cent) of the UK's population will be pensioners. With the economic downturn and the state pension age set to rise, older people will need to work longer whilst continuing to develop their skills. Those that are in retirement risk being excluded as more and more information and services will need to be accessed digitally.

The lecture - New Technology and Lifelong Learning in an Ageing Society - addressed how the right learning opportunities can ensure that an ageing society isn't left behind in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

It took the form of a panel discussion and Q&A chaired by film Director and Producer and Educationalist, Lord David Puttnam, who is also the Chair of the Open University and the vice-Chair of Channel 4.

Also appearing were:

• Julia Middleton, Chief Executive of Common Purpose;
• Michelle Mitchell, Director of Age UK;
• Charles Clarke, Visiting professor of UEA; and
• Trevor Phillips, Chair of Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The lecture was held in memory of the late Naomi Sargant and was organised by NIACE, The Open University and Channel 4. Naomi Sargant became The Open University's first woman Pro Vice-Chancellor in 1974. In 1981 she became founding Senior Commissioning Editor for Educational Programming at Channel 4. She was also an honorary graduate of The Open University. After her death in 2006, her husband, Lord McIntosh of Haringey (who died in 2010), established the Naomi Sargant Memorial Lecture in her memory.