- University of the Third Age
The University of the Third Age is an
international organisation whose aims are theeducation and stimulation ofretired members of the community - those in the third 'age' of life. It is commonly referred to as U3A.U3A started in
France in1973 where each group was associated with a localuniversity . Thisacademic model is used in many other countries, in particular in many continentalEurope an countries. By the early 1980s, the scheme reached Britain where its nature was radically changed to be more aself-help organisation. This model is also used inAustralia ,New Zealand , and theDominican Republic [http://www.ute.edu.do/] .In the British model it is acknowledged that retired people have a lifetime of experience and, collectively, a vast amount of knowledge. This is used to arrange a syllabus for each subject where each meeting is normally led by a member of the group with specialist knowledge. Each U3A Group pays a capitation fee and has access to a vast range of resources including a multi-media lending library, special interest newsletters and contacts with other groups with similar interests. Summer schools are held by special interest groups. Most importantly, each Group is an absolutely autonomous entity, self-financing and self-managing. Most Groups are regional in nature. However, in 1998 the virtual U3A, U3A Online, [http://www.u3aonline.org.au] was started to provide cognitively challenging courses for isolated older people from any country. Since then the initiative has been widened to include any person who regards themeselves as being in their third age. Volunteers run the entire operation, including teaching, in cyberspace. There is general agreement that not only physical but intellectual activity enrich and prolong life in the later years. Although primarily for the retired, many U3As open their membership to any people not in full-time employment, thus becoming more inclusive and widening the age range of the membership.
Typical courses include, educationally,
Art , Classical Studies,Conversation ,Computers ,Crafts ,Debate ,Drama ,History ,Languages ,Literature ,Music ,Science s,Social Sciences ,Philosophy , etc. Some study groups do not have a prepared syllabus, but draw on reports of current affairs in their topic subject to promptconversation and research. Some groups are designed to cross disciplinary boundaries, for example, combiningSociety ,Technology andScience in a fashion not practical in more formal academic environments. U3A groups are well positioned to conduct serious research into localhistory andgenealogy . For example, a group inEyemouth collected and exhibited manyphotographs of life and work in the district over the years. Some groups aim to bridge the generation gap in the field ofinformation technology opening up an exciting new world to many who might have been oblivious of it otherwise.Internet marketing is especially important for members in more remote locations. There are also many less-educational activities - 'Games', including bridge tuition and duplicate bridge playing groups; 'Health, Fitness & Leisure', including countryside walks, Theatre/Concert Clubs, Travel Clubs, Dance in all its forms etc.Many U3As publish local newsletters, e.g. [http://www.u3ascotland.org.uk/eastberwick.htm East Berwickshire U3A and its newsletters] , as do some of the special interest networks. The
Third Age Trust , the national coordinating body, publishes an educational bulletin, "Sources", for subscribing U3A members three times annually.The U3A can also provide a valuable resource in considering many local and national issues. Membership includes many with experience and expertise in almost all walks of life and letters. Although strictly non-political, U3A members have time to reflect in a mature fashion on such topics as the operation of public services, crime and punishment, the future of energy supplies, public funding of the arts and so on, and can reply to invitations to engage in public consultations with carefully considered and argued responses.
References
*citation|title=Mutual aid universities: a self-help approach to educating older people|first=Eric C.|last= Midwinter|year= 1984
publisher=Routledge|id=ISBN 0709935234External links
* [http://www.u3a.org.uk U3A in the UK]
* [http://www.u3ascotland.org.uk/ U3A in Scotland]
* [http://www.worldu3a.org/ International Network for Universities of the Third Age]
* [http://worldu3a.org/worldu3as/u3a-worldwide.htm An International Perspective of the University of the Third Age]
* [http://www.ealingu3a.org.uk/ Ealing University of the Third Age]
* [http://www.surrey.ac.uk/U3A/ A sample British local group]
* [http://www.harrowu3a.co.uk/ Harrow University of the Third Age]
* [http://www.sandwellu3a.org.uk/ Sandwell University of the Third Age]
* [http://www.u3ascotland.org.uk/eb2.htm East Berwickshire U3A and its newsletters]
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