A review of past trends in adult literacy in developing countries shows that the following factors have been crucial to achieving large-scale literacy results: the state as the prime mover; political will or national commitment; a favorable development context; continuous mobilization activities; a broad conception of literacy; broad collaborative involvement; central coordination; postliteracy and other follow-up efforts; and dual strategy combining universal primary education and adult literacy. Despite the arguments against large-scale adult literacy campaigns by nongovernmental organizations and international agencies, well-resourced, well-planned initiatives have taken place in Latin America, Africa, and India. Learner- and community-based approaches are becoming more popular; however, the World Bank's policies regarding adult literacy have had a detrimental effect on efforts to link adult and child literacy through intergenerational approaches. Although the need for literacy teaching is greatest in developing countries, literacy remains a concern in industrialized countries. The literacy of tomorrow should not be a static condition inasmuch as the level of literacy required to function in everyday life is constantly shifting upward. The challenge is to provide citizens with lifelong access to literacy and learning-rich environments. Meeting this challenge requires removing the word "remedial" from the literacy vocabulary and coordinating hitherto separate fields of education. (MN)