u3a origins

‍ The University of the Third Age originated in France, where the first Université du Troisiåme Age (UTA) was formed by the University of Toulouse in 1972. The name refers to the concept of the First Age, childhood and education, followed by the

Second Age, professional and family development and involvement, and then the Third Age, when the demands of the Second no longer define one's life and the person is enabled to pursue freely chosen interests. In the French model, committees of retired people negotiate with a university to provide facilities and expertise.

In 1982, Peter Laslett, recently retired as Reader in Social Structure at Cambridge University and one of the instigators of the Open University in the 1960s, turned his interests to practical means of bettering the life of the elderly. He considered the French UTA as a means of continued intellectual growth for the retired, but rejected its dependence on university staff and facilities. Retired people, he contended, have a wealth of abilities, knowledge, and experience and are quite capable of directing their own continued development. With Michael Young, a co-instigator of the Open University, and Eric Midwinter, Peter Laslett developed a model of a University of the Third Age based on eight Objectives and nineteen Principles for U3A.

The first U3A in New Zealand was formed in Remuera in 1989, inspired by returning travelers who had become acquainted with the movement in Britain and Australia. Dr John Stewart, the founding President of U3A Remuera, was instrumental in encouraging the formation of U3As in Takapuna and Epsom.

An Auckland Network was formed in 1993, enabling U3As in the region to exchange ideas and encouraging the formation of additional U3As. U3As in the Wellington area were initiated by Age Concern organisers and some follow a different model from most of the North Island U3As. U3As in Christchurch and Otago grew out of Continuing Education departments in universities.

Dr David Cole of U3A Remuera has published two editions of IJ3A in Auckland, which give more details of the history and activities of U3A, including the results of surveys in 2003 and 2007 of the activities of Auckland region U3As.

How we operate

Monthly meetings

At each monthly meeting we have a 10 minute speaker and an expert main speaker. To read about our next monthly meeting CLICK HERE

Special Interest Groups

We encourage members to join one or more of our 34 special Interest groups which cover a wide range of subjects and meet at various locations and times around the North Shore.  To browse our Special Interest Groups

CLICK HERE

Newsletters

Our monthly emailed newsletter is the main communication to u3a Devonport members.  For those who are not connected to email we produce a printed and posted email version.