U3A Presentation By

Helene Dooley Researcher

27 September 2011 Venue: The Chester

Beatty Library, Dublin Castle, Ireland

Origins of the Third Age

•Recent phenomenon led by demographic and sociological changes (c. 1950) •Prior to this, adults moved from the second age of caring to the fourth age of dependency; • A combination of compulsory retirement, pensions and increased longevity resulted in the great majority of older people in industrialized countries spending many healthy active and potentially self-fulfilling years in the Third Age;

Longevity Revolution Global Population – Aged 80+ years

1950 – 14 million Today – 300 million

Japanese centenarians 1963 – 154

2000 – 13,000 Projected (2050) – 1 million

Life Expectancy within the UK is increasing by 2 years for each decade that passes

(source: Age Concern UK)

Longevity Revolution Irish Life Expectancy

1926

Males 57.4 years

Females 57.9 years

2006

76.8 years (+33.8%)

81.6 years (+40.8%)

(Source: CSO)

The Birth of the U3A - timeline

1968: Legislation passed in France requiring universities to provide more community

education; 1973: Toulouse University of Social Sciences

ran a gerontology course aimed exclusively at local retired people. This led to the formation

of the first U3A; 1975: concept had spread to other French

universities as well as universities in Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Italy, Spain and across the

Atlantic to Quebec and California;

U3A timeline (cont.)

1975: AIUTA formed; 1981: AIUTA had a membership of more than 170

institutions; 1981: U3A came to the UK and a new model U3A emerged;

1984: U3A began in Melbourne, Australia; 1990s: Following end of Cultural revolution U3A’s take off in

China; 2000: U3A launched in Cape Town 2000: Launch World U3A website;

2005: U3A launched in India; 2008: U3A Alliance Australia formed;

2010: Asia Pacific Alliance formed.

U3A Philosophy

To provide affordable learning opportunities for older people, using the skills and abilities of the members themselves;

Those who learn shall teach and those who teach shall learn, and there shall be no distinction between the two.

There shall be no qualifications for membership, and no awards, degrees or diplomas shall be given.

The emphasis shall be on learning for the love of it, and shall include an emphasis on the values of making things and improving skills of all kinds.

Learning shall take place in a friendly, supportive, social environment Those joining a U3A shall pay for its upkeep. There shall be no payment to any person (member or non-member) for

teaching or providing a service to members except in the case of reimbursement for such expenses as travel, photocopying, etc.

The curriculum of a U3A shall be determined by the needs/preferences of its members and according to the resources available to it.

To be at all times, non-political and non-sectarian in our approach.

U3A principle models – a comparison

French Model (University based): • Tertiary based; • No entry requirements/no

examinations; • Originally open lectures and

negotiated access to established university courses;

• Members now play a greater part in the choice and range of activities;

• Funding varies – some receive direct financial subsidies, some largely university funded, some funded on a sliding scale, depending on participants’ assets.

UK Model • Autonomy within each U3A unit,

each run by a democratically elected committee of members;

• No entry requirements, no exams;

• No distinction between the teachers and the taught;

• Members act as both teachers and learners;

• Members decide format and content;

• Minimal membership fees; • Negotiable curriculum

The World Tour!

U3A Ireland

Active Virginians U3A

Roscara U3A

Monaghan U3A

http://www.ageaction.ie/lifelong-learning-u3a

U3A Sutton Baldoyle working on the Intergenerational Learning Project at Dublin City University, Ireland

Planned Activities for this winter (2011) include: •Presentation on the whole philosophy behind Fingal Age Friendly County; •A visit to Dunsink Observatory; •Talk on Heraldry;

U3A (UK)

• Based on self‐help educational groups;

• Independent U3As following common aims;

• 774 groups (2010 figures);

• By 2011 this had grown to 820 groups;

• National affiliation to Third Age Trust;

• Policy and educational support from centre;

• Trustees elected on a regional basis;

• Development objectives are agreed at regional level;

• Local collaboration in networks

(Source: Ian Funnell Third Age Trust, UK Member of Fetcham & Guildford U3As)

Most Popular Interest Groups (South East Region)

• Art Appreciation

• Bridge

• Current Affairs

• Family History

• Literature

• Music Appreciation

• Painting

• Poetry

• Gardening

• Scrabble

• History

• Walking

(Source: Ian Funnell Third Age Trust, UK Member of Fetcham & Guildford

U3As)

More Specialised Interest Groups in the South East Region

• Archery

• Cinema History

• Finance

• Golf

• Hand bells

• Mathematics

• Meteorology

• Music Theory

• Myths

• Parenting for Grandparents

• Self Defence

(Source: Ian Funnell Third Age Trust, UK Member of Fetcham & Guildford

U3As)

Study Days in 2010 (UK South East Region)

• The Operas of Puccini • Georgian Britain

• The Caucasus ‐ Old Rivalries & New Opportunities • British Naval History from 1066 to 2003

• 2000 Years of London and its People • The History & Literature of the Anglo‐Saxon Period

• Some 19th Century Novelists & Their Readers • Music & Friendship

• The Geology of Britain

(Source: Ian Funnell Third Age Trust, UK Member of Fetcham & Guildford U3As)

Exchange Visit English U3A and Japan 2009

U3A Osaka, Japan

Course Schedule for September

2011

U3A in Europe

• Generally the U3A’s are linked to Universities;

• In Austria, it appears that the U3As are associations of older university students (only qualified older students can participate in the normal academic programme (1994 – no up to date data available);

• Spanish, Italian and Portuguese U3As are a mix of university-led and community based;

• UK – autonomous units 2011 820 groups with 272k members;

• Ireland - 14 autonomous groups (Age Action) throughout Ireland (no mapping carried out to date).

Examples of EU funded U3A projects

Senior Education and Training Internet Platform (SETIP) is multilateral Grundtvig project focusing senior´s ICT literacy; • SETIP project is based on the experience of U3A in four European countries : the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Spain and Portugal; • SETIP project objectives was to contribute to the seniors´ ICT literacy and to create the base for virtual U3A. There are a series of courses available at this point for the recipient countries including:

•Ethical issues of today; •Late Medieval Europe; •Digital Photography; •English for Students

Examples of EU funded U3A projects

•Sentrain – training ICT Trainers of U3A members, Demonstration of Video conferencing and Databases for U3A members. U3A Cyprus;

•Cultural exchange between Poland and Perth in 2010/11

•Stories of a Possible Europe” theme of inter-cultural dialogue in Europe, through Story-telling. (http://www.possible-europe.eu/The-project)

EKWALS Project • An EU Grundtvig project which targets Ageing Knowledge Workers

within the age bracket 45-64. This is a group who prior to this were basically protected from economic downturns.

• It analyses the specific needs of this target group and particularly their interest in Lifelong Learning;

• The aim of the project is to make Lifelong Learning more attractive to ageing knowledge workers, to help them upgrade their qualifications, and to assist them re-enter the job market or advance as self entrepreneurs.

• With an ageing population, the EU are continually seeking to engage with Third Age people and their involvement in Lifelong Education and are constantly seeking progressive ideas from projects such as EKWALS.

Inter-generational Skills Exchange Project (part-funded by EU and British Council)

Learn with Grandma and Grandpa

Zelenogorsk, Central Siberia

• Krasnoyarsk 45 (Zelenogorsk) cannot be found on any Russian map (or Google Earth for that matter!) • The town is a ‘child of the cold war’ constructed around an electro-chemical plant built in 1956 in the middle of Siberia on the banks of the River Kan; • The town now produces uranium for atomic power stations; • The average age of the town is now under 30 years; • U3A Zelenogorsk was founded with the support of the local authorities in 2000 and currently has a membership of around 150 who attend courses in 7 Departments: Law, Healthy Way of life, Cultural Values, Home Academy, Computers, Psychology and International Projects. • Always delighted with contact from other U3As!

U3A China

• Founded following the end of the Cultural Revolution as a means to helping more than 100 million older Chinese adapt to social change. Students come from all walks of life and social strata – retired generals, workers and peasants;

• Universities: – Largest programme for older learners – a network of 400 Universities for the aged (UA)

providing academic programmes for some 470k older learners; – Some offer degrees and have examinations; – Competition high for places on these courses;

• Corporations: – Offer U3A type activities for their retired staff (minimal fees);

• Recreational Centres: – Offer a range of activities including recreational games, sport, health facilities and communal

dining;

• Smaller Village U3A groups: – Located in schools, many offer courses in reading and writing to older people with poor

literacy skills;

Western (Socrates) Chinese (Confucius)

Wisdom begins in admitting your own ignorance;

self-knowledge is the ultimate virtue;

People can arrive at truth through questioning;

A good education not only benefitted the individual but society as a whole;

education should centre around the individual’s aptitudes;

education should transcend social class – all that is required is a willingness to learn

Goals of Education (Cultural Differences)

U3A UA

System Self-help

Membership

Traditional School

Campus No Hired Accommodation

Formal Designated Campus

Run By Members On Volunteer Basis

Paid Staff With Nominal Pay

Taught By Members On Volunteer Basis

Paid Tutor With Nominal Pay

Auspice Autonomous

Entity

Under Govt/Business

Format of Education

U3A UA

Major Learning

Orientation

Pleasure, Interest Knowledge, Coping Needs

Popular Subjects Literature, Music, Current Affairs

Health-related, Chinese Calligraphy

& Painting

Major End-result Mental Stimulation Pragmatic & Serve Society

Comparing Australia and China purpose of knowledge acquisition

• Formed in 2008 the society comprises academics and practitioners in the field of Ageing in India; • The group have come together to spread the concept of U3A across India; • Broad long term objective is to mobilise, organise and empower older people so as to enable them to continue learning and working and leading healthy active productive and self-fulfilling lives in later years ; • Hierarchical system based around 5 zones then sub-divided into 35 regions is in place

A Report from A K Malhotra of Bhavana U3A Lucknow: A Group of 25 members of BHAVANA went on an Excursion-cum-Pilgrimage tour to Mathura-Varindavan, the place of birth of Lord Krishna, also known as the place of Krishna Leela (Acts during childhood and young age) and his Karma-Bhoomi. The whole region is full of Temples of Krishna & Radha (his Lady Love) and devotional chants of Radhe-Radhe can be heard in every corner . In fact there is a temple in every house and even the air is Krishna-mayi. The visit was a spiritual journey for all families and a dream coming true . The trip was really very satisfying, interesting , as well as, entertaining.

Bhavana U3A Lucknow February 2011 Report

Bhavana U3A Lucknow March 2011 Report

A Report from A K Malhotra of Bhavana U3A Lucknow: North India suffers from extreme cold season and chilly winds in the months of Nov to Feb every year. The worst affected is poor class, who live in hutments and do not have the warm cloths to wear or cover themselves. Like every year, this year also BHAVANA made its little contribution to mitigate their miseries to some extent. 550 Nos. of New Blankets, Cloths & other items of domestic utilities were distributed to pre identified destitute section of society in Lucknow and two villages in remote rural areas.

U3A South Africa • Initially launched in Cape Town in 2000, Greater Cape Town currently has over 5,000 members and a current national membership of 10,000; • There are 24 independent local U3A’s across the country; • A core curriculum has emerged with most U3As having a language group, a creative writings group , science, technology studies, history, social and cultural activities including bird watching and wine appreciation; • Autonomous groups meetings take various formats, meeting in private homes, holding workshops, group outings and general meetings; • Membership is open to all irrespective of race, religion, politics or economic circumstance; • In line with U3A philosophy, learning is for pleasure and no awards are given; • fees are low (R40 p.a. with course fees R1 per session)

U3A New Zealand

• The first group was established in Auckland in 1989; • U3A’s work to the UK self-help model with autonomous groups; • There are Currently 70 U3A groups around New Zealand • In 2008, U3A activities were supported by 69,000 volunteer hours* (*Survey carried out by retired researchers and U3A leaders in 2008)

(http://www3.griffith.edu.au/03/u3a/locate_u3a.php?prop=7)

U3A Warkworth, New Zealand

Sample of Activities undertaken by the Group (August/September 2011): • Book talks • History meetings • Jazz Listening • Ancient History • Food for Thought • Play Reading • Music Appreciation • Art Appreciation • History of Medicine

http://u3a.co.nz/

U3A Browns Bay, New Zealand

Sample of Activities (2011):

• Archaeology;

• Computers for fun;

• Francais Pour Rire;

• Geology;

• Walking to activate the mind;

http://www.u3abb.net.nz/interest_groups.html

U3A Australia

• The first U3A was founded in Melbourne in 1984; • Two years later, the first group was started in South

Australia; • There are currently 265 independent groups over all States

and Territories; • The National U3A body (U3A Alliance Australia) was

established in 2009. An important feature here was that all the groups maintained their organisational independence;

• In addition, U3A Networks have been established throughout the Territories;

• In a survey of 164 of 265 independent U3A’s in Australia, U3As were supported by 871,000 volunteer hours

Function of U3A Alliance Australia

• Publicise U3A more widely to encourage more people to join;

• Undertake an advocacy role at national level on behalf of older people with regard to expanding life long learning opportunities;

• Sharing of information, ideas and resources between the U3A groups;

• Linkage with other relevant groups and educational bodies both in Australia and overseas;

Function of the Networks

• To provide information advice and relevant services to member U3As;

• To encourage networking between member U3As;

• To support formation of new U3A’s in the area;

• To represent member U3As at State and National levels;

• Linkage with other educational and older people’s organisations;

• Co-ordinate applied research into life-long learning and related topics;

• (Talk) Strategies to Minimise Plant infection and their commercial Application in Plant Protection;

• (Course) Demystifying Mathematics • (Course) Choral Singing • (Course) Re-visioning World War II • Sentencing Offenders • Sudoku There is a full list of courses covering the full week – this is

just a very small sample)

(http://www.yarravalleyu3a.websyte.com.au/site.cfm?/yarravalleyu3a/6/)

(Melbourne – U3A Network, Victoria) Sample of courses and talks

• All about the Human Hand (Starts 12/10)

• Anthropogenic Climate Modification Science (20/10 ends 8/12)

• The Social Impact of New Technologies 1870 to 1918 (25/10 – 29/11)

• Medieval Movies (15/11 – 13/12) (http://www.u3acanberra.org.au/courses-starting-soon.htm)

Australian Capital Territories

Umbrella Organisations (additional to the various alliances/networks already discussed)

• International Association of Universities of

the Third Age (AIUTA)

• Third Age Trust (UK)

• World U3A

• Virtual U3A (VU3A)

International Association of Universities of the Third Age

• Organisation is currently being re-invigorated;

• New website hints at inclusivity;

• Possibility of future linkage with U3A’s operating under the UK self help model?

The Third Age Trust

• This is the national representative body for the U3As in the UK;

• Limited company and registered charity;

• National Executive (16 members) supported by 14 staff (7 F/T; 7 P/T) in offices on Bromley;

• There are currently 820 U3As with over 272k members;

• Works in partnership with U3A Online Inc (based in Australia)

World U3A

• Its purpose is to encourage international understanding and contacts for all active retired people everywhere;

• This is achieved through the medium of the internet; • There is no membership; • The service is free; • They edit two monthly Bulletins (Signpost and Patrika) • Run on-line projects (see below) • There are no committees, just a Steering Group based

around the world who hold meetings through teleconference each Sunday.

• Meet the Steering Group!

IT in Action! The Steering Committee meet every Sunday via

Teleconferencing facilities.

World U3A on-line Projects

• Co-operation – projects for 3rd age groups worldwide – provides discussion, international communication, news and the opportunity to take part in worldwide projects.

• My U3A – add your group to the worldwide list. • Where did you grow up? (input on childhood memories always welcome!) • Inter-generational / transcontinental research project – what did you eat

yesterday? • Breakthrough – asks participants to identify moments of clarity when

they left behind pre-formed ideas about people and moved forward in their understanding – aiming to break down prejudices;

• Breakfast – where an Elementary school in Denmark surveyed 3rd agers around the world to see what they had for their meal.

• End of War Access to the Timewitnesses website which recorded the memories of English French and German people’s experiences of life during the 2nd World War. (2005)

Virtual U3A

• (vU3A) began as an idea put forward by a U3A member and its development was supported by the Third Age Trust.

• Formally launched in early 2009. • The vU3A is an online learning community of older people who

adhere as far as is possible to the principles of participative learning which have been a characteristic of the U3A since its inception in 1982.

• Members of the Virtual U3A are encouraged to form their own learning groups, choose their own topics and share much of the teaching/learning in a collaborative way.

• An important target group for this virtual development includes older people who are isolated – geographically, through illness or perhaps because of personal commitments (carers, for example).

On-Line Courses

• The Third Age Trust (UK)

• U3A On-line (Australia)

• The Resource Library a repository of course material for U3As (http://courses.u3anet.org.au/)

The Third Age Trust – On-line Courses

Tutored Courses • Generally consist of 8 units

worked through on a weekly or fortnightly schedule;

• Units last 3/5 hours – do at your leisure over the week;

• Activities evaluated by tutor; • Tutor available to deal with

queries; • Collaborative learning between

students by email; • Group work also successful; • Cost: £5 per course on top of

annual cost of access £10.

Untutored Courses • Courses can be downloaded

any time after the course start-up;

• Students work at their own pace;

• There is NO tutor feedback; • Can be used privately for

individual study but work best when delivered by a Group Leader to a U3a group;

• Cost: £10 for access to ALL UK courses for 12 months.

Untutored courses currently available (UK) (There are no tutored courses available at present (21/09/11)

• Digital imaging • Garden history • Understanding computers; • Creative writing (a) Fiction (b) Poetry; • Write to good effect • Writing for publication • Italian art 1400 – 1600 (level 1 – beginners) • Artists of Spain (level 2 – requiring some knowledge); • Visiting Artists in Rome (level 2 – see above) • Great Northern European Artists;

(Link: http://onlinecourses.u3a.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21&Itemid=38)

U3A On-Line (Australia)

• World’s first virtual University of the Third Age; • Gone Global – all you need is an internet connection

and basic computing skills! • On-line courses developed using the skills of volunteer

subject experts, writers and editors; • Courses accessible throughout the year and can either

be studied independently or with the guidance of a course leader;

• Opportunities to network with other people of similar interests;

• Opportunities to interact with other class members as well as with the course leader

Once you become a member of U3AOL (Australia) you can enrol for courses such as:

Courses with a Course Leader:

Cost: Membership fee plus AUD 5.00 per course

• Autobiography and Journaling;

• The Northern Sky

• Writing Family History;

• The Story of Science 3 – the Physical sciences since 1800;

• Genealogy On-line;

• Shakespeare: Rediscovering the Bard;

Independent Study courses (sample): Cost AUD 25 per annum membership

• Antarctica;

• Introduction to Western Philosophy;

• The Shaping of the modern mind;

• Renaissance Italy;

• Food for thought;

• Maintaining Independence

The Resource Library

• Established in New South Wales in 2006;

• Many courses which have been run in the past are now available as open source material;

• Most are free to download and some which involve human intervention (copying CD and postage) are available at nominal cost;

• For the full listing follow this link: http://courses.u3anet.org.au/?page_id=194

Sample of courses from the Resource Library (either download or email and request):

• The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World • Explorers – Portuguese Explorers in the Age of

Discovery; • A variety of International Biographies; • An Introduction to the Celts; • The Nature of Language; • Language and Literature; • Shakespeare and the Modern World; • Myths and Legends; • Irish Mythology; • Comparative Religions;

Sources:

• http://www.uni-ulm.de/uni/fak/zawiw/content/veranstaltungen/reisen/costa-rica/eng/Ian%20Funnell-en-U3A-GB.pdf • http://courses.u3anet.org.au/?page_id=194 • http://www3.griffith.edu.au/03/u3a/ • http://www.cso.ie/Quicktables/GetQuickTables.aspx?FileName=VSA30.asp&TableName=Life+Expectancy&StatisticalProduct=DB_VS • http://www.ageaction.ie/lifelong-learning-u3a • https://sites.google.com/site/u3asuttonbaldoyledublin/ • http://www.worldu3a.org/ • http://www.elill.net/?projectdatabase.en • http://worldu3a.org/resources/u3a-siberia.htm • www.hkcss.org.hk/el/er/Eld_Learning/U3A_ComparisionMode.ppt • http://u3aindia.org/objectives.htm • http://u3aindia.org/patrika/march2011.html • http://u3aindia.org/patrika/february2011.html • http://www.u3a.org.za/ • http://www.u3a.org.za/U3A_KNY/KNY.htm • http://www.u3a.org.za/U3A_HWK/HWK.htm • http://www3.griffith.edu.au/03/u3a/locate_u3a.php?prop=7 • http://u3a.co.nz/ • http://www.u3abb.net.nz/interest_groups.html • http://www.nsw.u3anet.org.au/ • http://www.yarravalleyu3a.websyte.com.au/site.cfm?/yarravalleyu3a/6/ • http://www.u3acanberra.org.au/courses-starting-soon.htm • http://www.aiuta.org/index-en.htm • http://www.u3a.org.uk/ • http://setip.osu.cz/course/category.php?id=9 • http://worldu3a.org/resources/u3a-worldwide.htm • http://www.ekwalslearningsolutions.com/index.php