Although the forces that are globalizing the economy, democratizing political life, and ushering in a knowledge society promise to improve humanity, they are also exacerbating the marginalization of individuals and the polarization of entire nations. Many individuals in developing nations are at risk of systematic exclusion from meaningful…

This document contains information about the first four international conferences on adult education and their political, social, and educational contexts. The document presents chronological summaries of key events that occurred in the political, social, and educational spheres in each of the years from 1945 through 1997. The discussions of each…

This collection of 15 essays focuses on the role of women in higher education around the world, analyzing the gender dimension of the university curriculum in light of the United Nations' World Conference on Women held in Beijing, China, in 1995. The essays include: (1) "Women, Higher Education, and Development" (Mary-Louise Kearney); (2) "The…

This report documents the depth of the crisis affecting higher education systems throughout the developing world and shows how developing countries can achieve the goals of greater efficiency, quality, and equity in higher education. A review of country experiences suggests four key directions for reform. First, reform programs should encourage…

This paper examines early childhood development, family, health, and literacy. It places particular emphasis on the need to consider the interrelationships of these factors when attempting to use literacy to improve the quality of life of individuals in developing countries. The paper begins with a discussion of learning capacity and a conceptual…

This manual contains materials for a 2-week workshop to train extension staff and community leaders working at the village level in the Solomon Islands. The aim of the course is to improve participants' skills so they are better able to help communities and community groups design and manage community projects. An introduction addresses the team…

Central government's supply-side expansions of schooling have not equally benefited all members of society, especially girls, indigenous peoples, tribal groups, disadvantaged minorities, and the poor. Public spending on education is often inefficient, higher education is subsidized at primary education's expense, and costs are becoming…

Central governments' supply-side expansions of schooling have not equally benefited all members of society, especially girls, indigenous peoples, tribal groups, disadvantaged minorities, and the poor. Public spending on education is often inefficient, higher education is subsidized at primary education's expense, and costs are becoming…

This bibliography presents sources which trace the development of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions' (IFLA) policy for the support of librarianship in Third World countries, the development of awareness and sensitivity to its issues within the library and information world, and the way in which professionals in…

The proceedings of the congress include the following workshop summaries: "Continuing Education and Training (CET) and Society" (Sellin); "The Social Dialogue" (Smith); "The Role of the Social Partners in Vocational and Further Training in Denmark" (Jensen); "Problems of Vocational Training in the Period of…

Since 1987, many activities have been undertaken by the African Association for Literacy and Adult Education (AALAE). Perhaps the most important program activity has been the building of institutional capacities in the adult education movement. Important elements are organizational development, networking and solidarity, management development…

As is the case in many developing countries, Honduras's vocational training and job placement systems were plagued by high dropout and low job placement rates. After deciding that the issue of relevance was the key to improving the country's job training system, a trade advisory committee set about to develop a series of competency-based…

The geo-demographic, economic, and infrastructural makeup of 12 African countries (Botswana. Gambia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) were compared to determine the potential benefits to them of a Commonwealth of Learning (COL) distance education initiative. Data were collected on…

The first of a series of annual reports for policy makers, this publication focuses on evaluating changes in the interplay between the world's changing resource base and the economic system. Following an overview, content is divided into 10 additional chapters covering population stabilization, the world's dependence on oil, soil conservation,…

A selected annotated bibliography on literacy and basic education, including contributions from practitioners in the worldwide non-formal education network and compiled for them, has three interrelated themes: integration of literacy programs with broader development efforts; the learner-centered or "psycho-social" approach to literacy,…