The working basis for U3A is small study and discussion groups on an unlimited range of topics, usually held in members' homes. These ongoing community-based study groups, and other activities such as workshops and outings, are led by retired volunteers with expertise and enthusiasm. The course base is only limited by the supply of willing and able course leaders.

All activities are held during the day and on week days, along with open meetings, addressed by speakers on subjects of general interest every 1 - 2 months. Costs are minimal and no-one gains financially from the organisation; the sole benefits are intellectual stimulation! The annual membership fee is R50 with further costs of copying, refreshments or travel, if relevant, at cost.

The objective of U3A is thus to be a University in the true sense of the word - a community of teachers and learners, universally available, sharing interests and enthusiasms. Experience elsewhere has shown that there is a very real need for accessible and stimulationg opportunities at a stage in life when people can expect to have a little more free time for self-development.

For more international information you may like to visit the website of U3A in the UK, www.u3a.org.uk. For local information, the committee members listed on the Home page (see left-hand panel) will be happy to help you. Details of current courses will be found in the course list.

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITIES OF THE THIRD AGE — IAUTA

The aims of the Association are to:

• Encourage the creation and the development of Universities of the Third Age, and other similar Organizations throughout the world


• Produce and maintain cultural and scientific relations between members


• Assemble, construct and promote attitudes and actions concerning problems relating to longer life in order to develop a case in support of the major debates on such questions


• Develop all and any collective co-operative actions, in particular to bring about Regional Sources of Interest


• Co-ordinate activities, such as those intended to facilitate learning, study and research among the members


• Make available to members exchanges and information


• Collaborate with Organizations whose activities relate to higher education and to living conditions of older people


• Bring about and encourage any initiative which improves working relations between IAUTA and other movements which concern themselves with the future of older people, so the latter may fulfil their role in society freely and fully