About U3A
University of the Third Age
The University of the Third Age (U3A) was founded in France in 1973 to provide continuing learning opportunities for retired people. By 1981 it was established in England and by 1989/90 branches were opening in New Zealand. Today there are branches world wide, but there is no official ruling body, each group operating independently according to its situation and facilities available.
The aims of U3A are:
- to share knowledge and advance the education of people of the Third Age;
- to provide facilities for leisure time and recreational activities of people of the Third Age in the interest of their social welfare;
- to encourage members to form interactive groups, both to share knowledge and to pursue active study in new fields.
Membership is open to all people of the Third Age who support the objects of U3A, are not in full-time employment. are approved by the committee, pay the agreed annual subscription and who agree to abide by the constitution and any conditions imposed by the committee.
To find out more about the U3A movement worldwide, go to Links.
The U3A Paradigm
For a more detailed consideration of U3A, how it works and the part it can play in the lives of older people, download the paper "The U3A Paradigm: Past, Present and (possible) Future" (pdf) by Professor Rick Swindell, Griffiths University.
Prof. Swindell presented the paper at the U3A Conference held in Christchurch, November 2007.
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About U3A Wellington City
U3A Wellington City (previously called U3A Ohariu) is a very active University of the Third Age based in Wellington, with a membership of over 700.
Our activities include:
- A programme of weekly lectures on Tuesdays and Fridays, held in central Wellington
- Thirteen special interest Study Groups
- An annual lunch, which takes place in winter and is the main social function of the year
- Occasional visits to place of interest.
At present we are encouraging members to write memories, accounts, or stories of their lives or those of their predecessors that can be of interest to their descendants. We have already published one collection and look forward to completing another.
U3A Wellington City committee and members
For a list of committee members go to our Contact Us page.
The committee meets once a quarter, and members keep in regular contact by email. Each committee member has specific areas of responsibility.
Non-committee members help run the lectures - meeting, greeting, collecting donations and organising the lecture theatre under the supervision of a committee member. Speakers are sourced with a great deal of help from the general membership.
Special interest Study Groups are organised by convenors, whose role is to facilitate learning and research, not necessarily to 'teach'. Groups usually meet in members' homes. There are limits on the numbers attending these groups depending on the size of the convenor's home or meeting place.
