46 INT. J. OF EARLY CHILDHOOD, 1984, 16,2

Lady Allen of Hartwood Memorial Trust

Chairman's Report: 23rd Oetober 1984

I wonder if HAPA, IPA and OMEP are fully aware thatthe granting of this scholarship may be the most valuablepiece of work undertaken by these organisations, eitherindividually or jointly. We are, in a miniscule way, con­tributing to East-West and North-South friendships, thesharing of knowledge and technology and forming linksbetween wealthy countries and the third world. Last year,at OMEP's Geneva conference, I learned from the latestUNESCO figures that by the year 2010, 5OJo of the world'schildren will come from North America, Europe andJapan, while 95% of the world's children will come fromthe impoverished South. The Brandt Report entitled'North South: A Programme for Survival' , examined theurgent problems of inequality in the world today. Unlesswe can find some answers to these overwhelmingproblems, the future for all children looks gloomy indeed.We can only begin on our own doorstep. I am sure LadyAllen, with her international vision, would encourage usin our endeavours to help under-privileged young childreneverywhere and break down the barriers between rich andpoor.

The award for 1984 (£600) has been given to LucieAndersen. She has taken a four year BA (Honours)degree in Speech Therapy (1984). She wished to visit aspecial centre in Seattle, USA, for the study of mentalretardation. Not only is thorough assessment undertakenhere, but progressive programmes are organised to enablechildren and young people to become fully integratedand, if possible, contributing members of the society inwhich they live. She has been invited to see the centrein November and December this year when it is fullyoperative. (Vacation time is useless).

I am pleased to tell you that we have received an excellentreport from Ruth Marchant, the 1983award winner. Thisis perhaps the best presented and fully comprehensivereport we have yet received. I feel that in the future theTrustees must discuss how this valuable material can bestbe used and distributed. At the same time I must add that,on at least two occasions, the most tedious task of thechairman and secretary has been to obtain the reports,we are still awaiting the final contribution from MrsTibbets, 1982.We have tightened up our rules and regula­tions but the problem remains.

The Trustees have decided that as an experiment for onceonly we would offer the founding organisations theopportunity to use the scholarship (abiding by ourregulations) for their own groups. We felt we had notsufficientlymade available the use of the scholarship to theinternationalcontributors. This is quite a complicatedopera­tion. HAPA decided it would prefer its members to applythrough the normal channels but agreed that IPA and0MEP could use the scholarship in this way, because

both organisations had overseas membership. Guided byour treasurer Mr Evans, it was decided that in order tomaintain the value of the scholarship and keep pace withinflation, we should withhold the grant for 1985. The fallin interest rates and contributions has meant that we couldnot maintain our usual standards. Of course, our requestto our founding organisations will continue to be one ofseeking contributions; at the same time we wish to expressour gratitude for their help and support.

We have held three meetings during 1984. Sadly, oursecretary Ronny Flynn has resigned after carrying out ourwork in a most efficient and helpful way. We areextremely grateful to Ronny. I am pleased to be able totell you that Pam Rigley, now retired, has generouslyoffered to return and take over our secretarial work. Soit is good-bye Ronny and welcome Pam and thank youboth for your help.

We are always grateful to Mr Evans, not only for his pro­fessional help, but also for the interest he shows in ourwork. Finally I would like to thank the Trustees who carrythe full responsibility of running the Trust. The time hascome for a change of chairman, and although I am resign­ing from this position I have informed OMEP that, ifthey should wish me to remain a trustee, I would be mosthappy to do so. This means that the Trustees must electa new chairman at the January meeting.

Susan Harvey,Chairman,Lady Allen of HurtwoodMemorial Trust