It was acknowledged by the Second United Nations World Assembly on Aging that this process is a global social and demographic reality that has had its impact on the entire world in all aspects of its existence--the traditional national, financial economic, political, and moral-ethical aspects. At the present time every state is confronted by the strategic task of providing "third-age" people ["seniors"] the opportunity to prolong their years free of disability, the ability to maintain their activity and to participate in the economic and cultural life of society. A focus of the Second World Assembly on Aging, in Madrid in April 2002, was seniors' participation in the development of society, providing them with the opportunity to contribute in this regard, being involved in education, including in rural areas far from population centers. This paper offers an analysis of the history of the international movement to create educational experiences for older people and of its relevance for Russian society. If it is to be of any practical use as a path to employment opportunities in Russia, there has to be a change in the way older people are viewed by employers.