“The elderly have much to offer, they want to take part in society while also living a healthy and independent life,” reiterated the Minister for Gozo Dr Anton Refalo, while visiting the Day Centre for the Elderly in Ghajnsielem.
The Minister was addressing those present at the opening of the new academic year of the University of the Third Age Gozo.
Today the elderly have different sources of learning and the University of the Third Age retains the important principle of lifelong learning. Positive experiences to help seniors remain active, while improving the quality of their lives. The Minister said that “this shows that the elderly are hungry for learning and augurs well for improving the quality of life.”
Dr Refalo reiterated how the Government is committed to making life better for the elderly and expressed his pleasure that Gozo will soon have a new home for the elderly which will provide facilities of the highest level.
The Minister wished those attending the courses health and happiness as well as a successful academic year.
During this 2014/2015 academic year there will be 50 participants who will be regularly attending courses at the University of the Third Age (U3E) Gozo. These courses were started on an initiative of the Ministry for Gozo 18 years ago.
Initiatives taken by U3E in recent years, included the book, ‘The dance of Life,’ which was published in 2004 in cooperation with the Ministry for Gozo, the European Centre of Gerontology of the University of Malta and the Malta Tourism Authority. In 2011 a compact disc was released entitled ‘Gozo Memories.’ The disc includes photographs, writings and other materials reflecting memories of the past sixty years.
The U3E course is being coordinated by the Elderly and Special Needs Sections at the Department of Customer Services within the Ministry for Gozo.
Further information can be obtained from the Office of Care for the Elderly within the Ministry for Gozo on telephone numbers: 2215 6620 and 2215 6626.
Photograph: George/Scerri/MGOZ