The U3A is an international organisation which aims to encourage like minded people no longer in full-time employment to join together in educational, creative, cultural and leisure activities. The word 'University' is used in its original sense of people coming together to share and pursue learning in all its forms.
The concept of a place of learning for older and mature citizens, with more leisure time on their hands, was first developed in France in 1972, where universities began to provide educational opportunities for older people. This was followed by the establishment of 'Association Internationale des Universités du Troisième Age (A.I.U.T.A.). The idea has now spread throughout the world.
Updated 21.01.2011