u3a develops its international connections
u3a recently welcomed delegates from the Taiwanese Ministry of Education, who were keen to learn about lifelong learning models within the UK.
Eight delegates visited The Third Age Trust and learnt about the structure of the u3a movement, the Third Age Trust strategy, and the key projects for each team. The group consisted of 3 Professors, 2 Directors of Lifelong Education Departments and 3 special assistants.
They were also able to experience the u3a model first hand, with a visit to Croydon u3a, where they joined in on three different activity groups. They also spoke to 46 u3a members about their experiences, including committee members, group leaders, longstanding members and new recruits.
Jenny Wilson is the Chair of Croydon u3a and said, "For us in Croydon, we hugely benefitted for welcoming the visitors, sharing ideas and learning about what happens elsewhere. Enabling members to articulate the benefits of u3a membership really does help when they then talk to others about the movement."
One delegate said, "The comprehensive programs and interactions have provided us with valuable knowledge and perspectives that will significantly contribute to our initiatives and objectives. Visiting you has inspired us to consider new ways to enhance the active aging program in Taiwan."
The connection with the Taiwanese Ministry of Education was first made last year when Liz Thackray spoke virtually at an internal conference focussing on learning in later life.
This was the latest in several international meetings with figures in the international lifelong learning community.
June saw members of the Third Age Trust meet with François Vellas, the son of Pierre Vellas who founded Université du troisième âge in 1973 in Toulouse, France. It was this movement that inspired Eric Midwinter, Michael Young and Peter Laslett to form the u3a movement in the UK - with some distinct differences, most crucially, the focus on member-led learning. François gave updates about how the model worked in France whilst he was also interested to learn about the u3a UK's current structure,
These visits ensure that u3a continues to have a significant voice in the international conversations going on around positive ageing and lifelong learning. These are opportunities to promote the unique u3a model of member-led learning and positive ageing through skill-sharing.