The member countries of the Commission of European Communities carried out various programs to combat illiteracy in their countries. The activities can be grouped in six areas: (1) adaptation of teaching to overcome the learning difficulties of disadvantaged pupils; (2) reconsideration and development of the objectives of language skills at the primary level; (3) prevention of loss of skills in students; (4) initial and inservice teacher training; (5) literacy campaigns; and (6) distance learning. Community action was also initiated to teach literacy. (The majority of this document is made up of summaries of the activities of the literacy programs carried out in 12 member states: Belgium; Denmark; Spain; France; Greece; Ireland; Italy; Luxembourg; The Netherlands; Portugal; Germany; and the United Kingdom.) (KC)