Dr. John K. Friesen is a Canadian who, for over 50 years
worked first in the field of adult education in Canada and
then in population planning internationally. He gained
prominence in his own country, considerable international
stature and a reputation for his vision and capability.
Friesen successfully used a democratic, cooperative approach
in discovering and responding to community requirements in
adult learning. This biographical study provides new
material about his character, goals, influences. The thesis
focuses on Friesen’s work as Director of Extension for the
University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada
(1953 - 1966) but also outlines his life and career before
this term and gives a synopsis of his international work.
A brief description is given of Friesen’s upbringing in a
small rural community in Manitoba, his experiences as an
educator and leader during the great depression and of his
war service in the RCAF. His work in organizing adult
education programs for the Manitoba Federation of
Agriculture and his life during post-graduate studies at
Columbia University are described. He was involved in the
cooperative movement and provided informed, effective
leadership in Manitoba’s post-war efforts to renew its
educational system and to develop a network of hospitals.
The thesis examines Friesen’s commitments, methods and the
management style he applied in expanding the UBC Extension
Department into a sophisticated organization. Under his
leadership the department became influential in adult
education, leadership and citizenship training in British
Columbia; also it was involved in international adult
education work. Research was conducted into the work of
Friesen and others in originating a graduate program in
adult education at UBC. The nature and outcomes of his work
in promoting continuing professional education is also
examined. The role of Extension in the Vancouver
International Festival and other cultural development work
is discussed. Friesen is shown to have extended the work
of the University into communities throughout the province
using study-discussion groups, lectures, credit and noncredit
programs in this work. A change in University policy
(1963) forced the Department to abandon much of its
community based work; the consequences of this shift are
considered.
Comment from seven of Friesen’s senior colleagues provides
insight into his leadership quality and the perceived value
of the work carried out during his term. Some conclusions
are drawn about Friesen’s life as an educator and
humanitarian and on his approach to adult education. The
ideas, ideals, commitments and convictions demonstrated by
Friesen remain valid today.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:BVAU.2429/2986 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Kennedy, Kathryn Anne |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Relation | UBC Retrospective Theses Digitization Project [http://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/retro_theses/] |
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