An international newsletter published on the first day of every month for U3A members and kindred groups anywhere in the world.

Please send items of possible interest to the editor, Tom Holloway.

Feel free to copy any or all of this information in your local newsletters.

Join U3A representatives from many countries on the first Sunday of each month. For more information and to request the link click on U3A Forum >>>

On the 4th of March our discussion will be on the theme "Where is technology taking us?" The software used - ZOOM - is free and can be downloaded here >>>

The meeting room opens at 10.30 am on Sunday 4th March, and the Forum begins at 11 am.

Tynedale U3A has created the most comprehensive illustrated website of Hadrian's Wall, a famous World Heritage site (see the banner picture above).

The Hadrians Wall group is now continuing its research into subjects like, life on the wall after the Roman Legions left, and they have now completed online guides to 15 Roman forts along the wall and another 15 to its North and South.

Whether you are a professional archaeologist, studying or skilling-up to work in the field, or just fascinated by archaeology and want to explore further, the Council for British Archaeology offers a range of ways to get involved. Planning an archaeological dig with your community? Have you considered the Mick Aston Archaeology Fund? Supported by Historic England and Cadw, the fund encourages voluntary effort in making original contributions and the study and care of the historic environment.

U3A Online is the world-first virtual U3A operating exclusively online. It provides short courses for older people who enjoy learning but prefer the freedom to study where and when they choose.

Our courses are open to all older people, or younger disabled people, anywhere in the world. They are especially suited to older members of the community who are isolated either geographically, or through physical or social circumstances.

U3A Online provides other services too. We support U3As from anywhere in exchanging ideas, resources and information through our website, and we encourage older people to harness the internet's seemingly unlimited educational potential.

From Dr P Vyasamoorthy, Indian Society of U3A.
Once having Europe's youngest population, Turkey is now growing old. Projections made by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) show that the elderly population will increase to 10.2 percent by 2023.

When we are young, old age seems like it is ages away until you discover your first wrinkle. With a population over 80 million, Turkey is now thinking more about the future and focuses on its senior citizens, especially about their care and place in society. Professor Ismail Tufan, the founder of the department, created a movement that has inspired hundreds of senior citizens around Turkey. Full description can be found here >>>

The Executive Committee of the Indian Society of U3A (ISU3A) - a networking conglomerate of voluntary bodies working for the cause and care of the elderly - announce an International Conference on The Socio-economic Status of Senior Citizens -- Problems and Solutions on March 11th/12th. For full information visit the website at http://u3aindia.weebly.com >>> and the conference programme may be seen here >>>

Senior Citizens Council of Delhi organised First Annual Day celebrations of its Recreation Centre at Green Park Extension on 09-02-2018. Chief Guest was Mrs.Meeta Singh, Additional Commissioner, SDMC who noted the various free facilities being provided to senior citizens daily. She shared her sentiments with the audience that she now feels very happy to see that this community centre, which was vacant for the last 4-5 years, is put to such good use.

"I remember Mr.Gupta came to me for the allotment of this Recreation Centre in the month of October, 2016. We handed over the allotment letter to Sh.J.R.Gupta on 4th November, 2016. This is a unique Recreation Centre being used for organising various social, cultural and spiritual activities for the cause and care of elderly on a daily basis".

Dr. Charles Afolabi, President U3As Nigeria and AIUTA GB Member chairs the first Nigeria National Conference on U3As in Lagos on february 1st. Participants from Nigeria spoke of the mission of U3A in the most important population in the whole of Africa. President Sidi Camara from UNITRA Senegal and AIUTA GB Member explained his wish to share with Nigeria as a partner on behalf of AIUTA.

Dr. Charles Afolabi, Président U3A Nigeria et membre du Conseil d’Administration de l’AIUTA a présidé la première Conférence Nationale du Nigeria sur les U3A à Lagos le 1er février. Les participants du Nigeria ont abordé la mission de l'U3A dans la population la plus importante de toute l'Afrique. Le Président Sidi Camara de l'UNITRA Sénégal et membre du Conseil d’Administration de l’AIUTA a expliqué son expérience à partager avec le partenaire du Nigeria au nom de l'AIUTA.

"The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers came together from across the globe to create a council of women to bring a message to the rest of us. Their special voices have brought awareness to their deep concerns over the unprecedented destruction of our Mother Earth, the atrocities of war, the global scourge of poverty, the prevailing culture of materialism, the epidemics that threaten the health of Earth’s peoples, and the destruction of indigenous people’s ways of life.

The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers believe that our ancestral ways of prayer, peacemaking, and healing are vitally needed today. They believe that the teaching of our ancestors will light our way through an uncertain future". Thank you, Kari Henley of Age Without Borders