Luis Jacob and Giselle Janeiro rutis@rutis.pt

Associação Rede de Universidades da Terceira Idade Association of Third Age Universities Network RUTIS is a no profit Institution that works in a national level providing support to the family, the community and the elderly. It was created in 2005 and the headquarters are located in the city of Almeirim, in the centre of Portugal. RUTIS is a member of the Economic and Social Council is a partner of the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity since the signature of a protocol in October 2007. We have participated in several European projects funded by the Lifelong Learning Programme, the AAL and I&D.

Main Activities Main Activities 9 Editions 500 participants i 201 average of U3A Music Festival National Meeting 14 Editions 500 participants 8 average of U3A Quiz show 10 Editions 1200 average of participants 52 average of U3A 9 Editions 350 participants 4 average of U3A Theatre Festival Coordinators meeting Dance Festival 7 Editions 100 average of coordinators 45 average of U3A 3 Editions 400 participants 4 avarege of U3A

European Projects RUTIS participates mainly in projects under the Lifelong Learning Programme and in specific with the Grundtvig Programme. The main goal is the promotion of cooperation activities at an European level, in order to improve the quality and the European dimension in adult education. RUTIS participated in the following projects: SETIP – Senior Education and Internet Training Platform Cultural Bridges

Our Communication Posters of some events

Website Technical Support Services 145 daily visits 3,5 m average time Technical Support Teacher’s guide Quality guide Protocol guide Technical guide to create U3A Services A management program students Personal Accident Insurance for students and teachers Where each U3A has a page It allows one to pay and sign up to the activities It allows to send SMS to the students

Communication Newspaper National Card PC Senior Virtual Printed twice a year 12.000 copies 12 colered pages Free national destribution

As Universidades Seniores (UTIs) The Third Age Universities (U3A) A Third Age University (UTI or U3A) is a social and cultural answer, well developed in terms of equipment whose aims are to create, to develop and to organize cultural activities regularly, providing non-formal education, leisure activities and social gatherings and events for people over 50 years old. Educative activities are performed in non-formal policy, without certification purposes and in the lifelong learning formation context. Seniors participating in the U3A can be students, teachers and leaders.

Characterization of the U3A 219 U3A, 35.000 students and 4.500 volunteer teachers 40% of Universities are managed by elderly people 75% of the students are women The average age is 67 years old The average qualifications is above the 9th grade The average monthly payment is 15 euros The most taught classes are ICT, Health, Citizenship, History and Arts.

A growing social response 219 U3A U3A Students 4000 teachers

REDE INTERNACIONAL DE UTIS With partners in 12 countries

Example of Activities of the U3A: Classes Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 9 – 10 h D Swimming and Aerobics 10 – 10.50 h C Italian 9.30 – 10.20 h B Gymnastics 10 – 10.50 h A Portuguese Literature 10.45 – 11.45h C Portuguese I and II 11 – 11.50 h C Citizenship 11 – 12.30 h C Floral Arts 11 – 11.50 h A Memory training 10– 11h / 11– 12 h 12-13h A ICT 14.30 – 15-30 h C History 14 – 17 h C Sociology Seminars or Tours English I and II 14 h C Ballroom 15.30 – 16.30 h C Health 15 – 17 h C Arts 15 – 17 h C Arraiolos 20 h C Choir Theater A – Public Library B – Sports hallC – Head Office D – Swimming Pools * The last Wednesday of the month is dedicated to birthday parties.

The U3A also provide other activities Theater Tours Dance Arts Sport Music

the influence that U3A have on the elderly’s life quality Several studies show the influence that U3A have on the elderly’s life quality Question Students Non-students Have you felt happy the last 30 days? 80% 40% Have you felt depressed the last 30 days? 4% 28% Daily consumption of drugs - 20% -

Studie about ours U3A teachers: The questionary sent to the U3A was applied on-line to a sample of 1.719 teachers and 79 U3A. The results showed that 60% of the teachers in the U3A are female. The predominant age is from 60 to 70 years old, 27% ​​have less than 30 years. The predominant qualification is high school (74%). The majority (89%) of teachers give lessons in U3A voluntarily and without any remuneration. 48.1% of the teachers still have a paid job. The rest are distributed in the category of pensioners and unemployed (4.7%). 44% of the U3A teachers are or were teachers in their professional life. At average, teachers give 2 hours of classes per week. 85% of teachers are very pleased with the service they provide

Available in: www.tvsenior.pt and at MEO tv Channel 906009 of MEO tv

Thank you for your Atention! Giselle Janeiro – Gerontologist and Project Coordinator for RUTIS giselle.g.janeiro@gmail.com Luís Jacob – President of the Association of Third Age Universities Network – RUTIS luis@rutis.pt