A survey of Unesco National Commissions in 29 countries was conducted to identify and compare the administrative procedures implemented in the field of adult education, as well as the legislative measures adopted by governments to promote adults' right to education. The survey was conducted by means of a questionnaire sent to Unesco National Commissions, a review of legal documents, and analyses of comparative studies and monographs on individual countries. Results were reported in terms of the universalization of adult education, the social extension of the right to education, the right to education in all fields, the administration of the adult education system, and adult education teachers and research. The study concluded that there is a tendency for a growing number of countries to enact laws concerning adult education. Although at one time and in some countries these provisions reflected state welfare policies, today adult education is required by law to accompany and even precede major economic and social changes. The achievement of such objectives is seen to depend on two basic hypotheses that are becoming reality: (1) the recognition of the right of all individuals, especially workers, to devote part of each day to study; and (2) the creation of an adult education system that guarantees the right of education to all, at any age, from the lowest to the highest levels. (110 references) (KC)