REFLECTIONS

This was my first trip to South America. Argentina is going through a painful and yet exciting time of restructing a meaningful democracy. During the week I had the opportunity to speak with people who were part of the movement that brought about the collapse of the military rule. Many of their friends were among those thousands who disappeared. I realized how easily I just accept living in a democratic country. Many are struggling in other parts of the world to bring about the kind of government I just take for granted.

Adult education takes on a new meaning when it is seen as a practical tool for strengthening democracy. In Canada, our understanding of adult learning is narrow by comparison. With the large number of the participants at the Assembly coming from Latin American countries and other developing nations, the need for learning as an essential element for social change became much more apparent. The importance of resources such as libraries and of organizations such as CCLOW and the International Education Centre take on a much more significant role as tools for both individual and social change.

WOMEN

Many of the same concerns which were raised for women in our CCLOW study on Women and Adult Basic Education (DeCoito, 1985), are repeated in other countries in the world. Educational materials used in learning programs perpetuate stereotypes of women, and do not reflect women's experience. The inclusion of science and mathematics components in basic education programs is rare.

"Adult education takes on a new meaning when it is seen as a practical tool for strengthening democracy."