We continue our look at lifelong learning in other countries.

National Networks
National networks exist in other countries to provide important services and help to individual programs. Here are the main ones:

The International Association of Universities of the Third Age (AIUTA) was formed in 1976. They are an international organization and programs in many countries have joined, primarily to take part in conferences and ongoing research.

The Third Age Trust is the national representative body for the U3A movement in the UK and includes all the programs in that country. The Third Age Trust provides a wide range of services including a magazine, Third Age News, an annual national conference, insurance for local U3As, sponsorship of research projects, a national travel club, material for curriculum networks, study resources, including the magazine Sources, and other relevant services.

TALIS, or Third Age Learning International Studies was created in 1990 as a forum for international older adult learners, teachers, programmers and researchers. Different countries host annual seminars and members generally represent third age educational grassroots organizations. Membership comprises a core of continuing members. Members generally communicate at the annual conference where they share program information, deliver their research and build international bridges of understanding.

In 2000 Canada developed its own national organization, CATALIST (Canadian Network for Third Age Learning). The purpose of this bi-lingual network is to promote and support older adult learning organizations by sharing information and resources, including federal and provincial government assistance programs. Approximately 50 programs belong to CATALIST, many of whom also belong to the Elderhostel Institute Network. Most of the Canadian programs are university-affiliated and are a mix of the British and French models. Visit the CATALIST web site, which can be found at http://dev.www.uregina.ca/catalist/

Next Time…We will continue our look at lifelong learning in other countries.

Nancy Merz Nordstrom. M.Ed., is the author of "Learning Later, Living Greater: The Secret for Making the Most of Your After-50 Years". Her book, according to Ken Dychtwald, is a “compelling and user-friendly guide to lifelong learning and, in many ways, a complete redefinition of the after-50 years.” Nancy also directs the Elderhostel Institute Network (EIN), North America's largest and most respected educational network for older adults. More than 360 lifelong learning institutes with over 150,000 members are affiliated with the Network. For more information – Elderhostel Institute Network Read Nancy’s story on her Journal Visit her Forum Group LearnTalk Nancy maintains a web site at LearningLater.com