Albert Einstein said “Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death”
 
In a world that is constantly changing one common objective regardless of cultural, political or socio-economic constraints is, and should continue to be Lifelong Learning in conjunction with Positive and Healthy Ageing.
 
One of the great early achievements of the United Nations, which was set up after WW2 to promote world peace, was the development of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Alongside the right to life, liberty and security of person, and the right to fair treatment under the law, Article 26(1) of this historic Charter states that:
“Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory.  Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.”
 
In Australia and New Zealand, for the current generation of retirees, products of the baby boomer years (those born between 1945- 1964) university education was not readily available to us all as teenagers and young adults. University was only something you went to too enable you to graduate into selected professions. The average person left school at age 15 and entered the work force. 
 
At U3As around Australia and New Zealand, where Lifelong Learning is carried out, adult education is open and available to all regardless of prior learning. Learning is pursued without any reference to entry criteria, qualification, assessment or awards and to create a climate free from discrimination according to colour, race, creed or gender.
 
In Australia and New Zealand life expectancy for males is 80 years and for females 84 years.  If the unofficial retirement age is 65 many active years remain. What to do.?
 
In U3As around Australia and New Zealand we offer programs of learning activities, including academic, recreational social and cultural pursuits which offer stimulation and development. We promote an organization wherein co-operative investigation of a topic or area of mutual interest is a major focus of activities, and experience and expertise are freely shared. We acknowledge the potential of older adults to follow new pursuits and to increase community awareness of the fact that older people retain the capacity to absorb and use new information, knowledge and technology throughout their lives.
 
Third Agers in the coming years will leave the workforce with an entirely different range of expectations. They will also come equipped with many of the skills that cover a large section of what U3As offer today. Therefore we must always be conscious of how we can prepare for future trends in both numbers growth and product demand.
 
 
Australia is a vast and isolated country. Unlike Europe where one country borders on the next, Australia has 7 states and territories which to some extent are autonomous, however we are governed nationally.
 
Evidence that U3A is an organization which is highly regarded and services a great need in our communities is well-defined by the nationwide expansion and the rapid growth it has enjoyed since it reached Australian shores in 1984 and New Zealand in 1989.

 
 U3As in Australia follow a modified Cambridge Model and are community based groups managed by the membership for the membership.  A few receive limited State government funding however there is no National Funding.
Despite this fact, or perhaps because of that fact, growth is prodigious.
 
U3As in New Zealand follow more closely to the Cambridge Model, meeting monthly. These groups are also managed from the membership for the membership and operate purely from a volunteer base. Under New Zealand law, the word University cannot be used in the title, as it is reserved for the current University qualification establishments.
 
From humble beginnings in Australia 1984 the expansion began and spread across both countries in just 6 years.
      
1984 – Victoria - Melbourne
1986 -  Western Australia - Perth
   Queensland - Brisbane and Sunshine Coast
   Australian Capital Territory - Canberra
   South Australia - Adelaide
1987 -  New South Wales - Wollongong
1989 – Northern Territory - Darwin
1989 -  New Zealand
1990 -  Tasmania - Hobart
 
These groups were initially supported by various Adult Learning organisations. As is common in Australia this differs State by State. Several were assisted by their local University Extension Program, others by COTA (Council on the Ageing) while others were formed purely by public interest. A system that works well around our country is an established U3A group assisting with a start-up group in a nearby town and mentoring that group until they develop sufficient strength to stand alone.
While we are not managed by a main stream University many of our U3As have relationships with the University in their city. U3A members are welcome to “sit in” on Lectures and Tutorials in pre-selected subjects.
 
While all U3As in Australia are autonomous, each state has a State Network
eg: U3A Network Qld. There is also a national body U3A Alliance Australia which comprises delegates from each of our States and Territories. Like China, Australia is a vast country and distance can be a barrier to sharing resources and organizing face to face meetings.
 
Australia now proudly acknowledges 300 U3As with just over 100,000 members. U3A is the fastest growing Not-for-Profit community group in the country. New Zealand has 83 U3As with 15,000 members.
 
U3As in Australia and New Zealand willingly share our strengths. Information on policies and procedures are readily available on websites and shared at conferences. We accept that we have a role to play in the community and many groups contribute by visiting Homes for the Elderly and preforming at Cultural Festivals.
 
Australian and New Zealand U3As are managed and facilitated entirely by Volunteers. These volunteers for the most part, are members of U3A.  There are a small percentage of Non-member volunteers who participate as Tutors, Group Leaders or Guest Speakers.
 
 
If volunteers are the backbone of our U3As in Australia it raises questions. Why do our members volunteer?
 
Research proves that volunteering has a number of positive outcomes to not only the volunteer, but to the community they serve. If we pause to consider the benefit of volunteering to all levels of government, the economy and to the service community we would note that while the financial gain is not the reason, it is indeed a notable outcome. 36% of Australians over 18 years of age Volunteer with 38% females and 34% males. 
 
 Volunteers in Australia make up the biggest “workforce” in the country.
 
Baby Boomers, the demographic born between 1945 -1964 are now entering their retirement and leaving the workforce full of good health and enthusiasm to enjoy their 3rd age. Is it any wonder then that U3A in Australia and New Zealand is flourishing?
 
 My home U3A in Toowoomba has over 2150 members and offers 190 classes/activities each week to the membership.  Toowoomba has a population of 160,000 with an U3A eligible population, (people over 60) of just 40,000. Therefore a participation rate of 5% is pleasing.  It is interesting to note then the age demographic of our members:
As I mentioned previously U3A is the fastest growing community group in Australia and as we connect as a positive force across the nation and the world, growth will certainly continue.
 
The concept of Positive and Healthy Ageing is at the forefront of research and debate worldwide. U3As in Australia and New Zealand embrace this concept and look forward to a time when, with cooperation of all stakeholders this positive outcome will be achieved.