‘Kia Ora, He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.’
(What is the most important thing in the world? Its people, its people, its people.)
This Maori saying expresses the warm welcome received by participants at the Triennial Congress in New Zealand.
Members of Lyceum Clubs from around the world gathered in Tauranga between 10 and 13 April 2025 at the invitation of the country’s National Federation.
A programme of lectures featured five speakers who shared their passion and knowledge in their respective fields: art in the service of social justice by Annah Stretton, a floral demonstration inspired by the beauty of the country’s landscapes by Francine Thomas, justice for Maori children and young people by Judge Frances Eivers, a moving testimony by sheep shearer Digger Balme, and finally a presentation by influencer Siouxsie Wiles.
The Congress saw the election of a new team with Madeleine van der Vlist as IALC President and her two Vice-Presidents, Jane Peck for the Southern Hemisphere and Pascale Anderson Mair for the Northern Hemisphere.
