A participating vision of older people in higher education

Abstract

At the beginning of the XXI century, the aging of the population constitutes an ineludible social reality. It is a natural and social phenomenon in which all are involved, a result of the humanity development. Without a doubt, the increase of life expectancy and the reduction of birth rate, characterize contemporaneous societies. From this perspective, a new participating look defines the juridical situation of older people: Agreement signed on January 13th, 2000 on International Protection to Adults constitutes the fundamental center, from which different postulates and principles are derived, that if they are correctly implemented could contribute to an effective satisfaction of the right of older people. Linked with the above mentioned, contemporaneous society demands the existence of mechanisms to encourage the formative and pedagogical work of older people. Higher education performs a very important role, from programs and pedagogical strategies which make possible for older people to return to the university, and, consequently, to a stable labor life. From these ideas, the objective of this work is: to propose concrete strategies which allow an adequate social insertion of older people in higher education, to which effect, general considerations are issued on population aging. The defense of older people is valuated in society, based on the agreement of January 13th, 200o on international protection for adults, as well as the role of higher education in the pedagogical formation of older people, making special emphasis of its treatment in Mexico.