Nowadays there is a broad consensus that continuing participation in learning throughout life is beneficial to economic prosperity, social solidarity, as well as psychological maturity of the society as a whole. However, it is also true that this judgment has not transformed traditional educational practice, and there remains a sharp division of educational opportunities between younger and older people. The University of Malta has no university programmes for the third age. At present, the University does not have anything that approximates a University Extension Service Department or a Department of Extra-Mural Studies. However, this is not to say that the University of Malta is oblivious to the gerontological revolution as it includes a European Centre of Gerontology which co-ordinates a University of the Third Age. Without doubt, educational gerontologists should open themselves to the European Space for Higher Education. However, I also believe that we should embrace the Declaration in an oblivious manner. In conclusion, I believe, we have to pause, take stock of what has been, and focus on the other major question: What ought to be done? In this respect I believe that university programmes for the third age have to (i) implement suitable policy and funding measures; (ii) adequate and widespread information and guidance services; (iii) implement the combination of humanist and critical ideological frameworks in the learning process; (iv) embrace a critical gerogogical approach towards teaching and learning; and finally (v) take stock of the fact that the great majority of older learners are women.peer-reviewe
