U3A FORUM - The Columbian Exchange

Much of what we eat today first came to us from the pre-Columbus and ancient civilisations of America. Recent studies of Mesoamerica and the Amazon are beginning to cast doubt on our original view of these cultures.

Maria Chester is Professor Emeritus of Art History at the University of Buenos Aires. We have permission to show her wonderful lecture first given at a U3A Summer School.

For a short video and discussion join us on our 'first Sunday of the month' online forum, and for further information about this WorldU3A online project click here>>>

There is no age to learn. The students of the University of the Third Age have certainly proved it well by obtaining their certificate after a year of studies.

However, they do not wish to stop at a single certificate. Their wish is to continue to learn. The auditorium was crowded on Friday morning when certificates for the various courses followed by our elders were handed out by the President of U3A Mauritius, ArmoogumParsuramen, seen here with one of the students.

These elderly people were delighted to see that they are still able to learn, even if they have reached a respectable age.

On invitation Prof Artur Horbovvy, President Ukrainian U3As National Association Clepsydra, and Alina Khaletska, Vice-President Clepsydra, Prof Francois Vellas, AIUTA President with Georgi Stankow, Secretary General Bulgarian U3As, participates on Friday 4th October, 2019 in Kiev to the International Scientific and Practical Seminar on 'Information and Social Technologies Opportunities in The Development of Senior Tourism: International Strategies at the National Level in Ukraine'. Prof Francois Vellas presents the international experience from AIUTA U3As Worldwide. Porf Artur Horbovvy will participate with Ukrainian delegation to next WSTC 2020 to present the result of the seminar on Ukrainian best practices.

Prof Francois Vellas, AIUTA President visited for the first time Qingdao U3A on Tuesday 22 October 2019 and had meeting with President Qingdao U3A Mr Wang and Mrs Pan on AIUTA International cooperation programs.

AIUTA U3As will work together with Qingdao U3A and Shandong Chinese U3As on new research and implementation programs on Education and Wellness for Seniors based on sea water and thalassotherapy in connection with Ocean University Qingdao.

For the first time, thursday 10th October AIUTA GB was organised in the Middle East Region in Byblos, Lebanon.

Delegates from AIUTA U3As GB came to U3A AUT. 105 AIUTA GB President Ghada Hinain and Director U3A Marcel Hinain welcomed delegates. Prof Francois Vellas, AIUTA President chairs a ceremony on the Nelly del Forno memory with her daughter Bettina.

A report from Dr B Lingareddy, President of U3A Hyderabad.
The cultural and women writers group was started by Mrs. Dr. Shoba, and now we have nearly 50 members in this group. Once a month they meet and discuss the future course of action to be taken for redress of Elder's problems and how to help them.

For example - people suffering with Dementia and Alzheimers will be taken care through some mind games to improve their memory and cognition. The U3A members play childhood games and the Elders remember their childhood and join in the game.

The Virtual U3A (vU3A) is an online only U3A aimed at serving the needs of those who are isolated for health or geographical or any other reasons.

For more information and a short tour click here>>>

The Yeoju Eco-Forum in Korea was the first interfaith dialogue on ecological civilisation. It was held in beautiful Yeoju City, co-hosted by Daesoon Jinrihoe Yeoju Headquarters, Daijin University and the Institute for Postmodern Development of China. Prof. John B. Cobb welcomed delegates to the Eco-Forum and affirmed that different religions should understand each other and together we can contribute to improving ecology for our civilisations. Over 100 delegates attended, and 56 papers were presented. Thomas Kuan, Founder of U 3rd Age, Singapore presented his paper at a panel discussion on 'Eco-Civilisation from a Third Age Perspective' which suggested how retirees and senior citizens can contribute to a better ecology landscape.

A Report from J R Gupta, Executive President ISU3A: More than 1000 seniors took part in this half-marathon, organised by Help Age and Delhi ISU3A (Indian Society of U3As).

The U3A movement in India and several other countries is growing fast. So fast that WorldU3A has decided to bring back an earlier newsletter U3A Patrika that ran for over a year, then stopped due to lack of input. A draft version under the banner 'U3A ASIA POST' due to be launched on 1st November has been prepared - you can see it here>>>