Dijana Bebek Miletić, POUZ Zagreb
Prof. Dušana Findeisen, Slovenian Third Age University
Abstract: With the roundtable that took place on the 27th of November, 2017 Public Open University Zagreb marked its 110th Anniversary. It focused on different formats of continuous vocational education, diverse cultural activities, publishing and other activities concerning adult education. In addition, The Third Age University, as well as the international co-operation of POUZ, were presented. Participants in the roundtable were university professors, associates who have been working with POUZ for a long time and media representatives.
Prof. Jasna Čurin, Head of the Third Age University (one of the departments of POUZ), presented the U3A’s programme that has been continuously gathering around 1000 students each semester over the past 26 years. By turning towards the education of older people, POUZ turned a new page in the lifelong learning in general. The development of this programme was predominantly based on later modified and enriched European experience, namely the model and concept of Slovenian Third Age University. Nevertheless, the first European project in which our U3A participated was the project DANET (Europe for Citizens) based on which the current DANET network and association were created.
Prof. Tihomir Žiljak emphasized how international activities of POUZ have been developing, and in this connection, he also stressed the importance of the cooperation within DANET .This cooperation made it possible for POUZ to learn how other organizations work, to exchange ideas and finally to see new learning opportunities are. Also, it helped to create permanent professional co-operation between colleagues resulting in numerous new projects. Besides the cooperation in EAEA and national associations, DANET presents a new, firm platform for international co-operation.
