This book, which is intended for practitioners and researchers engaged in education, presents a comprehensive account and analysis of the major initiatives and programs developed by the Asia and Pacific Programme of Education for All (APPEAL), which was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization to promote literacy and basic education in the Asia Pacific region. The following topics are discussed in the book's eight chapters: APPEAL's objectives and development within the context of Asian-Pacific culture and economic and educational trends in the region; APPEAL's consultation and implementation mechanism (APPEAL's origin, mechanisms at the regional and national levels, international cooperation and financial support); APPEAL and universal primary education (early initiatives, APPEAL's priorities and efforts to achieve universal primary education); APPEAL and eradication of illiteracy (training materials, curriculum, systems approach); APPEAL and promotion of continuing education for development (types of continuing education; program development, monitoring, and evaluation; training curriculum for continuing education personnel; development of learning centers); APPEAL and women in development (expansion of skills-based literacy programs for women and girls); development and implementation of APPEAL's response to illiteracy; and APPEAL's future. Contains 58 tables/figures and 161 chapter references and endnotes. (MN)