Impact of the Changing Lives Program
The Auditorium of the UMECIT Founders headquarters was the setting to disseminate the results of the research "Impact of the Changing Lives Program", developed by teachers and students of the General Psychology and Social Work careers of all the headquarters, within the framework of the agreement signed between UMECIT and the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development (MITRADEL).
The event was attended by Lic. Winston Sánchez, General Secretary of MITRADEL, representing the Minister, Her Excellency Doris Zapata; Mgtra Yelitza González, Director of Gender Equity and Equal Opportunities of MITRADEL and other Ministry authorities.
On behalf of our House of Studies, attended by Mgter. Hermes Mauricio Sierra, Academic Vice Rector, representing the Rector, Dr. José Alberto Nieto; Dr. Magdy De las Salas, Director of Research, Innovation and Graduate Studies and Dr. Merlyng Florez, Director of Extension.
Likewise, we have the assistance of representatives of the institutions allied to the Project, such as: IPACOOP, INADEH, INAMU and IPEL; Mgter Abilio Moreno, Coordinator of the Research Center; UMECIT academic and administrative staff.
Teachers and students of the General Psychology and Social Work careers received important information with the socialization of the research results, as part of the knowledge transfer processes.
The “Changing Lives” program was developed by the Ministry of Labor (MITRADEL) with the support of national institutions linked to the subject, namely: INAMU, AMPYME, INADHE, IPACOOP and MI CULTURA.
Changing Lives had among its purposes, to provide tools and training in different provinces of the Republic of Panama, which contributed to promoting the economic independence and empowerment of the women participating in the program.
Among the findings that stand out from the program is the impact on professional and work growth, both of the participating women and their immediate family members, and the possibility of continuing to develop in the activities and tasks they perform, which contributes positively to the improvement of the quality of life and the proper direction of their ideas and business projects.
The results were presented by the teachers Cynthia González, Amelia Sarco and Raúl Montenegro from the General Psychology career, as well as Miguel Rivas from the Bachelor's degree in Social Work and Human Development, who provided valuable information to the related institutions, with the findings of the study, which are of fundamental interest in decision-making and future intervention projects that impact the development of vulnerable groups in the country.
UMECIT through inter-institutional agreements and the link with research management, once again demonstrates the fulfillment of our mission, institutional vision and university social responsibility, with enriching contributions to address problems and social needs from research.