“ A Center for Adult learning in a university setting. Where are we?”

1. “A Center for Adult learning in a university setting. Where are we?” Martha del AngelTecnologico de Monterrey, MéxicoLifelongLearning & Research, Glasgow, ScotlandMay14, 2012

2. Justification • The demographic profile of the Mexican society has changed over the last 30 years considering birth and aging. • The growth of the population was 3.4, in 1960 but it decreased up to 1.8 in 2012. • The life expectancy notably increased: In 1990 it used to be 70.6 years and in 2010 it reached 75.6 years of age. • The aging of the population has become not only a demographic challenge but also a social one because it has an impact on the security systems, sanitary assistance and day care. • Life expectancy should go along with actions and programs that promote the quality of life by making senior citizens participate in our society.

3. Mexico: populationover 60 years of age(1950-2010) Source: INEGI, Census, 2010.

4. Seniorcitizenswhohaveretiredrequireoptionstokeep a social interaction so thattheyfeelproductive and increasestheirself-esteemand independency (Programa de atención al adulto mayor, Consejo de Desarrollo Social: 29). • Accordingtothe 2010 PopulationCensus, in theState of Nuevo Leon (where Monterrey ispart of), 7% of thepopulation (270 000 inhabitants) were 60 years of age. Thistendencysuggeststhatby 2030 seniorcitizenswillreach 18% percent of thepopulation of statewhichisaproximatelyonemillionpeople. • Thissamecensusrevealedthat 3.3.% (3,873 people) hadprofessionalstudies, and a 0.7% (389 people) hadgraduatestudies. Justification

5. Thosepeoplewhohaveprofessionalstudiesmightbeintterestedtocontinuetheir personal and professionallife in a general way. Thisfact leads totheproposal of a Center foradultlearning in Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Campus. • Theinterest in seniorcitizens has increased. Someeducationalinstitutionsfrom Monterrey havedevelopedproposals and programsforthisgroup; suchisthe case of public and privateuniversitiesthatofferprogramsfocusedon diploma courses and somehealthactivities. • Thisproposalisanintegratedprogrambecauseitincludesupdatingacademicactivities, humandevelopmentprograms, health and social participation. Justification

6. The Center foradultlearningis a place thatgivesadults and seniorcitizenswhohavesomeprofessionalbackgroundtheopportunity of an integral development. • Itwilloffer training prgrams, intelectual development, artistic and cultural activities, memoryrecovery, nutrition, and physicalactivities. • Professorsfrom Tecnologico de Monterrey willbeinvolved in thisprogram as well as someotherareas of theinstitutethat are engaged in thecommunity´swellbeing. Proposal

7. Objectives

8. Programs Diploma courses and seminars Todeveloprelevantcontents in thearea of humanitiesand social sciences. Itis flexible and organizedby modules that can betakenindependently. Someareas and topics are thefollowing: a) Humanities • TounderstandToday´sworld (post.modernism). • Ethics and theperson in today´ssociety. • Philosophyforlife. • Psychology of thefamily (Family, values and society). •Development of criticalthinkingthroughoutlife. • Literature and society in Latin America. • Literatureand society in México. • Art and culture. • Films, literature and culture. • Films, music and literature 8

9. Programs b) Social Sciences • History of the XX Century • Historyof contemporaryMéxico (1920-2011). • North east México and theborderwiththeUnitedStates • Mexicanpolitics and itsrepercussions in social life • Society and sustainabledevelopment. • Communication and Media in itsimpactoncontemporarysociety. • A global world: economy, politics, technology in everydaylife. • Changes in theworldpolicies:Europe, theUnitedStates and Asia. 9

10. Programs 2. Technicalcoursestodeveloporimprovetechnicalskills and languages. • ForeignLanguages • Computer • Ebooks • Social networks 3. Nutrition and wellbeingTodesigncoursesrelatedtoexercising and nutrition. Thisprogramwillbecarriedonalongwith Tecnologico de Monterrey School of Medicine and theMedical center Zambrano Helión • Nutrition • Yoga • Tai Chi • Social walking 10

11. Programs 4. Reading circles Toorganizegroups of readerstoanalyze, discuss and enjoyclassicliteratureforcriticalthinkingskills and cultural enrichment. Society(Citizenshipand volunteering) Toestablishactions and agreementswithinstitutions and civil organizationstoparticipate in civicactivities and supportfor thecommunity. Adoptedgrandparents: literature in elementary schools, hospitalsormuseums. 11

12. 6. Memoryrecovery and individual and collectiveidentity • Toorganizecollective and individual activitiestorecord, discuss, share and writeaboutlifeexperiences. Sometopics are: • Personal orgroupstories. • Stories of regional identity • Cultural experiences (spiritual, artistic, etc). • TheNature ‘s friendsClub • Tovisit local places of natural wonders and becomeinvolvedwith • civil organizationsthatpromotetheprotection of theenvironment • and sustainabledevelopment. • . 12

13. “Friends of thecultureCircle” Tovisitmuseums and historicalsitestoknowthe cultural richness of the country. 7. Center forconsulting and counselingforyoungprofessionals Tosupportthedevelopment of youngprofessionalstostart new companies. The Film Club Towatchmoviestoanalze and discussthecontenttowardsreflexion and critical thinkingovermodernorhistoricaltopicsof theirinterest. Electronic magazine: “Vida Plena” To produce anelectronic magazine withinformation, notes, relevantanalysisfor seniorcitizens. 13