UNIVERSITY WOMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 133, 7 June 1929, Page 10

UNIVERSITY WOMEN.

The International Federation of University Women are meeting in Geneva from August 7 to August 14, and the city is making fitting arrangements for their welcome. This is the fifth International Congress and the tenth anniversary- of the founding of the International Federation of University AVomen. This federation, which dates from 1919, comprises no fewer than 31 national associations —of which New Zealand is one — spread through five continents. Delegates from the associations now meet in congress every three years. New Zealand is to be represented in Geneva by Miss A. Candy, of Christehureh, and Miss Wells, of Dunedin.

The aims of the International Federation consist in working in a spirit of broad understanding and friendship for the development of relations among women graduates of the whole world, in order to enable them to defend their interest by mutual help and solidarity. The federation is also collecting money to promote important research work by women who have already graduated. Wo have recently had in New Zealand an English graduate who won a research scholarship in Australia to do work in mycology. The I.F.U.W. is providing also international houses —at Washington, Paris, London (Crosby Hall), with one nearly ready at Athens; as well as international clubs in several towns. It

arranges exchanges among teachers of secondary schools of different countries and group travel parties for study. It lias formed a permanent committee which assures a link between the federation and the Institute of Intellectual Cooperation. It is associated with the great movement for the intellectual •'rapproachement" of nations. Too much importance cannot be attached to the significance of this conference. It will be a fine manifestation of international co-operation, seriously prepared for, taking account of the most profound aspirations of contemporary minds. The committee has put on the programme a meeting on "The Value of Research," and hopes that Mme. Currie will consent to deal with the subject. A high official of te Bureau of International Labour has consented to introduce a vital question, "The Employment of University Women." The most illustrious women professors from the universities of the world will bring the result of their scientific and literary work. The Swiss University Women will bring forward the study of numerous and varied problems which claim the attention of women in the course of their social activities—legislation, examination of the methods of instruction, etc. Excursions of scientific or documentary interest are to be provided. Thus Dr. Rollier has invited medical women to visit the establishment at Leysin, and Dr. Vautier will extend an invitation to the University Sanatorium. Botanists are invited to go to the Alpine Station Linnaea, at Bourg St. Pierre, under the guidance of Professor Chodat. Others will go to see the important engineering works at Lake Barbarine, and the electrical works at Chatelard. To historians, educationists and others, the Swiss University towns, as well as the places where lived Rousseau and Pestalozzi, will offer objects for pilgrimage. The Swiss Committee has appointed sub-committees to undertake questions of billeting, receptions, amusements, excursions, Press reports. The State Council has shown proof of its friendly attitude by putting at the disposal, of conference delegates for their meetings the buildings of the Secondary School in the Rue Voltaire. The authorities will also tender a garden party to visitors.