A select group of 75 educators, government officials, and academic experts from 18 countries exchanged information and insights, explored topics of mutual concern, and reviewed the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development's (OECD) Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI) work on strategies for connecting rural education and rural development. Following the introduction by Jonathan P. Sher, Part One of the conference report reviews the history and activities of the CERI/OECD Project on Education and Local Development (ELD) from its inception in May, 1979. Part Two includes the opening address by Ray Marshall; keynote addresses ("The Role of Formal Education in Rural Development" by Douglas McArthur and "The Role of Adult and Non-Formal Education in Rural Development" by Philip Coombs); responses to the conference from the Scottish Education Department (R. S. Johnston) and from the Western Isles (N. R. Galbraith); and brief reports of workshops and special sessions. Twenty-five ELD Project conclusions ratified at the conference comprise Part Three and fall into three categories: general--applicable to all ELD work (11 conclusions); specific to formal education in rural development (7 conclusions); and relating to non-formal and adult education in this context (7 conclusions). The appendix lists the participants. (BRR)