The initiative and activities carried out by 29 countries in Latin and South America and the Caribbean in the UNESCO Major Project in the Field of Education to correct deficiencies and meet unsatisfied basic educational needs are summarized. Many summaries reflect revisions made during 1983 in National Plans of Action with respect to enhancing their effectiveness in strategy, offers and requirements of co-operation, and in the identification and establishment or reinforcement of national mechanisms. The countries reporting are Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Montserrat, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Purposes, conclusions, and suggestions resulting from 13 regional and subregional technical meetings held during 1983 on matters relating to the objectives of the Major Project are also summarized. Subjects addressed at these meetings include physical education and sports as factors in the quality of education, educational planning and administration, school buildings, adult education and literacy, family health and education, inequities faced by young people and women in education, evaluation of adult education programs, and support for popular education and literacy in Bolivia. (NEC)