History
U3A is a voluntary community organisation providing the
opportunity of learning to older people aged 50 and over, enabling
them to keep mentally and physically active and alert. There are no
entry requirements for membership, no assessment of learning and no
certificates awarded. There are U3As all over the world.
The first U3A was founded in Toulouse, France
in 1972. It sought to
improve the quality of life for older people by bringing them into
contact with academic programmes. The idea quickly spread through
France and continental Europe. By 1975 an international Association
of U3As had been formed.
In 1981, U3As were established in Britain. This differed from the
French model in that members organised their own activities and
provided all the skills and expertise that were needed for these
activities. The idea of U3A as a self help or mutual aid university
was born.
In 1984, the first Australian U3As were formed in Melbourne based
on the English self help model. It has quickly spread to encompass 87
groups with over 20,000 members in Victoria, as well as many other
groups throughout Australia.
The Moonee Valley Region U3A (MVRU3A) was established in
1997.
U3As are also active in New Zealand, North and South America. Two
other major resources for older people are the “Seniors
Universities” in China and “Institutes for Learning in Retirement”
in the USA.
Whilst there are common objectives shared by all U3As,
broad differences exist in interest patterns, structure and organisation.
These are determined by the particular needs of each U3A and the
resources that are locally available.
Acknowledgements:
Moonee Valley Region U3A acknowledges invaluable support received
from:
Moonee Valley City Council
Department for Victorian Communities
ACFE
Hon Judy Maddigan, MP
Hon Rob Hulls, MP
