ORGANIZATION PRINCIPLES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE IN THE UK

Abstract

Organization principles of establishment and organization of the Universities of the Third Age (U3A) in the UK are studied in the article. The main aims of the Universities of the Third Age in the UK are defined, that are: to increase the knowledge of British society; to create institutions for promoting and facilitating training for older people for their own pleasure; to provide elderly people with facilities and opportunities for development of their intelligence, creativity and enhancement of their cultural and social life; to develop effective methods of their self-realization. The authors determined the scope of the activity of the Universities of the Third Age and their National leading agency – Trust of the Third Age, which represents all the Universities of the Third Age in the UK nationally and internationally. The insight into organizational principles of the Universities of the Third Age is provides: the aim and principles of the University of the Third Age, as well as the guidelines for its management. The main principles of the University of the Third Age are developed as well as the guidelines on methods and expertise in opening the Universities of the Third Age; election of governing body, establishment of interest groups; engagement of people of the third age into their activities management; identifying the means and amounts of self-financing, facilities, and resources; determination of directions, forms and methods of interest groups work.