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Third Age Education and the Senior University Movement in South Korea

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The University of the Third Age and Active Ageing

Part of the book series: International Perspectives on Aging ((Int. Perspect. Aging,volume 23))

Abstract

This chapter outlines the origins, characteristics and structures of the Senior University and the perspectives that have guided its development. The objective to promote active ageing in the population makes a strong case for government to continue to support Senior Universities and, in doing so, to prioritise the least advantaged group of South Korean citizens. It is argued that there is also a role for the encouragement of self-help and mutual aid among those who are able to organise with less support and less intervention from the government. The Senior University was created by the Korean Older People’s Association in 1981. As an increasing number of incoming older adults in the future will be characterised by higher levels of education, it is argued that Senior Universities should take action to develop new programmes and learning approaches, with a renewed focus on active ageing and wider social participation.

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Correspondence to Karen Evans .

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Jun, SK., Evans, K. (2019). Third Age Education and the Senior University Movement in South Korea. In: Formosa, M. (eds) The University of the Third Age and Active Ageing. International Perspectives on Aging, vol 23. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21515-6_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21515-6_18

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-21514-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-21515-6

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