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TO FIND A MORE DETAILED HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT READ THE ATTACHED PDF FILE
Join U3A?
Be involved in changing popular misconceptions about Third Agers. A mutual interest in learning leads to new friendships based on an expanded social experience.
By joining a local U3A you will become a member of an important and growing movement in Victoria, located in 97 centres and over 24,800 members strong at present.
Find a local U3A on the Members page
U3A HAS BEEN IN VICTORIA FOR 25 YEARS
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U3A stands for University of the Third Age. There are U3As all over the world.
U3A is a learning cooperative of older people which encourages healthy ageing by enabling members to share many educational, creative and leisure activities.
What is the Third Age?
The Third Age refers to the period of time after the First Age of childhood and the Second Age of employment and parental responsibility, often called "the age of active retirement".
Why are we called U3A?
A U3A is a university in the original sense of the word: a community of people devoted to learning and its members are in the Third Age.
How did U3A start?
U3A (University of the Third Age) is a world-wide organisation. It began in France in 1972, when legislation was passed that required universities to provide more community education. In 1973 a highly-rated gerontology course was provided by Toulouse University for local retired people, a course which was extremely successful and which led to the formation of what was to be the first U3A. This organisation was open to anyone over retirement age; no qualifications or examinations were required and fees were kept to a minimum.
The idea spread rapidly throughout France and then to Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Italy, Spain and across the Atlantic to Quebec and California. When U3A surfaced in Great Britain (in Cambridge), however, the "model" was to undergo a significant change. Whereas in the French model there were strong ties to the universities, which decided upon, structured and presented most of the courses, in the British model these university ties were to disappear.
Who can join U3A?
Although it is called a 'university', being in your Third Age is the only qualification needed to become a member. No educational qualifications are required or given. Those who teach and those who learn are all members of U3A.
How is a U3A run?
U3A members organise their own activities by drawing on the skills of one another. Like-minded members from all walks of life are encouraged to form study groups and share their knowledge with fellow members, all on a voluntary basis. U3As all over Victoria share the same philosophy but each is autonomous and develops its own character. Each U3A's program of educational and recreational activities develops from the interest of its members and the resources of its community.
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