This paper sketches major programs for adult education in Sweden, the Soviet Union, France, and England and considers several policy implications for adult education in the United States. The first section examines the reforms in Swedish public education designed to facilitate social equality, with special emphasis on the study circle. A description of the institutions and practices of the Soviet adult education system is provided in the second section. The third section concentrates on the various types of local educational agencies and systems for industrial training found in England. Discussed in the fourth section are aspects of France's adult education program, such as guaranteed paid educational leave, continuing adult education, training courses, formal and popular learning activities, and special programs for older adults. The final section examines policy implications for adult education in the United States for employee training systems, learning services for poorly educated and illiterate adults, institutes to serve the older adult, televised courses, diversification of services to accomodate the diversity of adult learning interests, and a system for unified lifelong learning. (MN)