The history of Vocational Guidance has produced a broad, rich set of theorizations and interventions as well as substantial literature. Many of these contributions arose in response to the needs of society: from the first conceptions of Parsons, followed by lifespan career development proposals, up to the current contextualist and constructivist…

Historical development of adult education in Croatia can be identified in seven phases: (1) the beginning of the 20th century and the period between the two World Wars; (2) World War II; (3) period from 1945 to the early 1950s; (4) early 1950s to 1965; (5) period between 1965 and 1980; (6) 1980s; and (7) period after the fall of the Berlin…

With the concept of lifelong education as the leading principle in planning and developing educational systems, the author outlines the four areas of adult education in Finland (supplementing general basic education, adult vocational education, developing citizenship, and individual self-development) and the demands placed on the educational…

Professional development for teachers should include learning experiences that lead to greater personal and vocational self-understanding. Teachers need greater self-understanding to keep pace with social changes and to expand their skills. However, if teachers are to develop professionally--especially midcareer teachers--then administrators and…

Outlines a recent educational initiative in social gerontology at the Western Australian College of Advanced Education: a two-year course on aging and the community. Discussed its educational and national context, the development of the course and its present content. Analyzes the student population to establish typical profiles of those…

The article describes stages in the development of the municipally owned "workers' institutes" to provide education for adults in Finland and the now more common "civic institutes" with public or private sponsorship. Included are administrative structure, financing, staff, students, facilities, teaching arrangements, subjects…

This document contains descriptions of 38 projects that were undertaken between 1985 and 1989 by English university continuing education departments. The projects were considered innovative and were funded under new arrangements that required competitive bids or encouraged high student enrollment and low unit costs. The project descriptions appear…

This document consists of the following three papers: (1) "Aging in the People's Republic of China" (Liang), including a 22-item bibliography; (2) "The Reform of China's Social Security System for the Elderly" (Chuanyi); and (3) "Developing Research on Aging in China" (Jihui). The first paper briefly outlines the…

Adult education in the Netherlands is administered under four different branches of government. Formal education or credit-granting courses come under the Ministry of Education and Science. Development of the adult as an individual in his/her social environment falls under the Ministry of Welfare, Health, and Cultural Affairs. Industry training,…

These conference proceedings contain nine theme papers from a conference on the University of the Third Age (U3A); the concept of positive aging; and new directions in political thinking, education, health, and social services. An introduction by the conference coordinator, Geoff Cawthorne, begins the volume. The papers are as follows:…

In March 1989, a new program was started in the middle hills area of Nepal. A community-based child development project entered the community by concentrating first on the children, and starting in one small area, and extending to new village areas in subsequent years. As of March 1993, there were four Village Development Areas participating in…

Theories on adult development and learning and some of the Ontario universities' programs and services for the adult learner are examined, and Athabasca University, Alberta's answer to the British Open University, is described. Peter O'Donnell discusses adult learners' needs and explains how Athabasca University serves this specific type of…

This document synthesizes the findings of an invitational policy consultation at which 27 invited participants from England, Wales, and Scotland examined the special career guidance needs of third-age adults (adults age 45 or older) and strategies for meeting those needs. First, the special career- and employment-related problems faced by…

These 41 papers reflect the conference's focus on nonformal adult education. A major goal of the conference was to facilitate dialogue between researchers and practitioners who are concerned with lifelong learning issues. Four papers focus on aging, specifically intergenerational experiences, preretirement leisure counseling, aging of the work…