These proceedings of a conference on the development of adult education and prospects for adult education in the 1980s contain the texts of four speeches. First, the basic objectives of the conference are outlined. Presented next are reasons for taking international initiatives in adult education and measures for determining what types of international initiatives are possible and appropriate. A discussion of two papers on projects for developing adult education follows. Summarized next are the main conclusions of three working groups on the state of affairs of adult education (with special attention to the needs and objectives of adult education, the issue of decentralization, and differences among adult education programs in various areas of Europe). Appended to the proceedings are the conference agenda, a listing of major policy guidelines adopted at the conference, a series of recommendations, and a list of conference participants. (MN)