Piotr Bledowski Warsaw School of Economics Institute of Labour and Social Studies Vienna,

 First U3A was founded 1973 in France  First U3A in Poland was founded 1975 in Warsaw  In the late 90’s there were over 120 U3A centres in Poland  Nowadays there are in Poland about 340 U3A active in field of education of the Elderly  The number of students reaches about 50,000

 The French model, which is mostly associated with a local university and popular in many European countries. It has been strongly correlated with academic endeavors. A lot of emphasis has been put on research and education.  The British model, which is more of a self-help organization. Meetings are generally conducted by a member of the group with specialist knowledge and all the students have access to a vast range of resources including libraries, special interest newsletters as well as the possibility of contact with other groups of similar interests. Each group is an autonomous entity and most are regional in character.

 university anchored centers, often with substantial financial and professional support offered by the university, and a special coordinator appointed for the post, whose job is to supervise, assist and correlate the activities, as well as aid in building course syllabuses;  U3A centers established by different foundations or scientific associations, particularly those of a more quasi-scientific, popular nature;  centers which have come into existence thanks to the ambitious aspirations and endeavors of local activists. They are often affiliated with social services, day-care centers, local institutes and schools or colleges.

 there will have to be a Program Council to secure high standard of education on offer, with at least one board member with an academic background to his credit;  a course syllabus should be subject- integrated;  lectures will have to be followed by some form of a feed-back activity, like tutorials, seminars, classes, discussions.

 popularizing educational initiatives;  boosting the intellectual, social, physical and mental activity of the elderly;  updating their skills and abilities;  fostering easier and more efficient contacts with public institutions designed for the well - being of the elderly;  activating senior citizens in their local communities;  promoting better communication and building up stronger human relations in society.

Why U3A are innovative?  the connection between education and reconstruction of social bounds;  the improving quality of education in U3A;  the wide scope of lectures and seminars which help to find one’s feet in the new world of technology and new structure of social relations.

Thank you for your attention. If you have questions: