Further Information
Just looked up an article on google about the International Development of the U3A. The date of the article is 1995 so much may have changed since that time. But in it the author writes that there are 2 distinct models for the U3A. a) the French (and first) model which is linked to Universities and places of higher learning, uses professionally qualified tutors and charges moderate fees and b) The British Model which works as I described in my earlier answer to Ace. The British model has been adopted by countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan as well as some north European countries, but southern Europe seems to be following the more traditional French Model.
There was little information about the take up in USA at the time which was put down to the many different and competing models for education available there. But the authors thought that the ILRs were doing the most similar types of things.
However, the report is 21 years old now and although I couldn't find any other mention on Google it is entirely possible that there has been a wider take-up in the States since that time. The only place listed to actually be running U3A groups in 1995 was San Diego.
If anyone knows more , do please let me know.
There was little information about the take up in USA at the time which was put down to the many different and competing models for education available there. But the authors thought that the ILRs were doing the most similar types of things.
However, the report is 21 years old now and although I couldn't find any other mention on Google it is entirely possible that there has been a wider take-up in the States since that time. The only place listed to actually be running U3A groups in 1995 was San Diego.
If anyone knows more , do please let me know.