Herodotus Third Age Academy
a group of people with a thirst for knowledge
Bored with retirement? Join a group of like-minded people with a thirst for knowledge – Herodotus Academy of the Third Age. Read on to discover what is meant by the Third Age, who was Herodotus, our mission, who our board members are and how to join
The Third Age comprises the fastest growing age group in the world. Physically active and mentally alert, they are excluded from mainstream working life and often miss the intellectual stimulus and social intercourse provided by their work inside or outside the home. Founded in France during the early 1970s, the University of the Third Age (U3A) was conceived as a space where people would meet purely for the pleasure of learning – no qualifications required for enrolment, no certificates awarded at the completion of the courses and age would not be a limiting factor either. A self-help approach was adopted: members were teachers as well as students; classes were held in libraries, private homes and schools; membership fees were held to a minimum; timetables were flexible and courses covered a wide range from academic subjects to arts and crafts and physical activity. U3As also now provide a social opportunity to mix like-minded people and the movement is widespread throughout the western world.
Long term resident Selçuk Şahin has now founded a branch in Bodrum (we believe it is the first of its kind in Turkey). Unable to use the word university owing to local restrictions, the Bodrum branch is called the Herodotus Third Age Academy, H3A in short. The academy caters both for English and Turkish speakers and the two groups are not mutually exclusive. A broad range of activities are already in place – see What’s On? and Activities.
Why Herodotus? It is in recognition of the father of history, born in Halicarnassus (Bodrum) 2,500 years ago. He travelled widely and wrote his book The Histories based on his experiences.
Herodotus Third Age Academy is the pioneer of the Third Age movement in Turkey
Our objectives and principles are:
- H3A will serve all sections of the community including local people, visitors (foreign or Turkish) and all age groups.
- H3A will be politically impartial.
- H3A believes in the brotherhood of all nations and creeds.
- H3A respects all religious beliefs including atheism.
- H3A will establish relationships and networks with all other Third Age movements in the world as well as in Turkey.
- H3A will be involved in environmental issues and will support ecologically friendly solutions to these issues.
- H3A will initiate and support cultural, artistic and educational undertakings in and around Bodrum.
- H3A will cooperate with all initiatives to develop tourism in and around Bodrum, and in particular the initiative to extend the tourist season, by organising mutual programmes with other Third Age movements worldwide.
We are volunteers who want to share learning
Herodotus Academy of the Third Age is a registered charity whose directors are:
- Selçuk Şahin, President
- Adıl Korkmaz, Treasurer
- Semih Adıyaman
- Enis Arkun
- Linda Bennett
- Christine Davies
- Ludmila Denisenko
- Osman Dörtuk
- Terry Glaysher
- Gülnar Önay