Landmarks regarding education for the elderly in Romania

The paper presents a new topic in socio-demographic and pedagogical research in Romania, namely the education of the elderly and the possibilities of its realization through a well-known provider in the world, the University of the Third Age (U3A). The article aims to draw attention to the issue of aging in relation to a new reality – learning to old age. From the methodological point of view, the realization of the content integrates, besides the analysis of the specialized literature, two types of research - the one regarding the legislative framework that covers, indiscriminately, both the education area of adults and the elderly, and the one on the educational solution represented by the University of the Third Age. In the argument of the latter are presented two established „models”, as well as the social advantages of U3A type programs. Exemplifying the experience of the University of Galati in creating a program for the elderly, the paper finally discusses possible roles and opportunities to activate the segment of the elderly population for the future in Romania, and points out the need to get out of the restrictive and often pessimistic reporting schemes for aging as a risk phenomenon