The aim of this conference was to stimulate joint action among organizations involved with adult education in east and central Africa, as well as publishers, journalists, librarians and book distributors; it focused on the problems of keeping people reading and improving their ability to read in any language. Opening addresses covered reading skills, problems of getting books to the people, and problems in cooperation. Participant papers discussed literacy work in the Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, and Zambia; books, bookselling, and journalism; the East African Literature Bureau Mobile Distribution Scheme; and readability and reading habits. Since links have been made with west and north Africa, as well as east and central Africa, it was decided to change the name of the association to the African Adult Education Association; the constitution is included. (PT)