This volume comprises the papers presented at the 1998 conference of the Pacific Telecommunications Council. This PTC'98 gathering focused on "Coping with Convergence." These 20th anniversary conference proceedings present at least one contribution on 59 countries and territories. The 120 papers in this volume are arranged…

This document provides a general overview, in broad terms, of the activities of the European Training Foundation (ETF) planned for 2001 and beyond. Section 1 presents ETF activities under four main headings: obligatory activities; support to the European Commission; information provision and analysis; and development activities. It also provides a…

This document comprises the two 2000 issues of a UNESCO newsletter addressing topics related to adolescent well-being in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly reproductive and sexual health. Each issue contains news from the region on various initiatives related to adolescent health and education, as well as Web links and publications on the…

A study investigated the impact of training on women's micro-enterprise development in four programs in Ethiopia, India, Peru, and Sudan. Research design was a series of case studies of projects and programs providing training in technical or business skills. Impact of training was measured against these four indicators: income, access to and…

This booklet presents a summary of contemporary understandings of adult literacy in the context of development. It suggests that literacy is best seen as one of a number of different means of communications rather than a single essential basic skill; that learning literacy is not essential to development (many non-literate persons are already…

This report brings together the latest available statistics to record national achievements in child survival, health, nutrition, education, family planning, and progress for women. Each section contains a commentary and a presentation of related statistics. Following an introduction by UNICEF executive director Carol Bellamy, the commentaries…

This booklet, which was produced as a follow-up to the Fifth International Conference on Adult Education, examines literacy in the world and its major regions. After a brief overview of the workshop from which the booklet emerged, the need to reconceptualize literacy as a tool for learning throughout life is emphasized. Discussed next are the…

Because of the significant political implications of first and second language policy, many decision-makers have been reluctant to review language policy in the context of literacy work. Issues that must be considered include the following: whether mother tongue literacy should be a precondition for introduction of a second language in…

Traditionally, an important function of folktales in West Africa has been to educate, as the older generation imparts knowledge to younger members of the family, tribe, societal unit, or ethnic group both informally in everyday life and more formally within the context of the bush schools. This anthology of West African folk literature offers more…

The economic crisis facing the world today shows us very clearly that we ought to rethink, redefine and characterize with precision the new role of adult education. A new role should help in contributing effectively to the quest for new ways, truly different alternatives toward a true and authentic development. (SSH)

Using data from 1960 to 1976, the author examines population and enrollment trends for successive levels of education in the world's developed and developing regions and computes enrollment and drop-out ratios. National expenditures on education and gross national product per capita expense figures are also presented for these regions. (SJL)

Provides information for educational technologists who are considering work as consultants in developing countries. Discusses cultural, societal, and political differences; issues of personnel, funding, and power and telecommunications systems; and selecting media. Suggests guidelines for selecting instructional materials and designing distance…

Discusses the virtual library as a model for library service in developing countries and describes the potential for these countries to solve many problems through access to needed information and through increased cooperation. Outlines obstacles to achieving this goal, which include lack of economic resources, technological dependence on…

Presents an annotated bibliography intended to inform nonspecialists of microeconomic research in poor countries. Six areas of research are discussed: household economics, health/nutrition and income, poverty measurement and analysis, agrarian technological change and labor markets. The section on labor markets also discusses saving, credit, and…

Compares the differences in purposes for literary campaigns when conducted in developed and developing countries. Considers literacy goals of students, teachers, administrators, and government policymakers. States this primary difference: developing nations' literacy campaigns identify literacy as instrumental to national and individual…