The document contains eight lectures addressing a variety of educational trends, issues, and concerns. The objective is to heighten the awareness of educational challenges that must be met and to promote continued professional renewal activities. Lecture I discusses fundamental problems concerning world education, concentrating on hunger and illiteracy and their relationship to the goals of education. Lecture II emphasizes the importance of education to the protection of civil, political, and social rights, focussing on the Washington, D.C. school system. Lecture III appraises education and development, using a political and economic approach. Lecture IV discusses language in education, recommending research into the various language situations of the United States, in order that educators might develop the full potential of each child. Lecture V explores the development of Soviet society from historical, philosophical, and social perspectives. Lecture VI postulates various objectives and guidelines to be considered in relevant education. Lecture VII discusses historical changes since Horace Mann's time which have changed the role of American education. Lecture VIII examines expectations of higher education, international education in a changing world, and international cooperation in higher education. (CK)