Formal education has traditionally played the conservative role of transmitting values, culture, skills, and knowledge from one generation to the next. Its role has become dysfunctional in societies such as those in Asia and the Pacific that are characterized by rapid change. In societies such as these, the need now is for education for development. This is why both the concept of life-long education as a principle on which the overall organization of an educational system is founded, and the concept of nonformal education as an indispensible part in all national schemes for education, are of vital significance in Asia and the Pacific. When developing nonformal educational programs for countries in Asia and the Pacific, planners must consider both the common features and experiences that give countries of the region a common outlook on the nature and role of education in relation to future development and the uniqueness of each country's experiences and needs. Particularly needed by most countries of the region are training programs in the areas of employment skills, rural transformation, and health and nutrition. Other areas of concern include conservation of natural resources, public safety and justice, and literacy. (MN)