This publication identifies the essential characteristics of a coherent and integrated educational system for all stages and sectors of life. The three main documents produced as part of a permanent education project undertaken by the Council for Cultural Co-operation of the Council of Europe are included. The work, which continued from 1967 to 1979, involved both theoretical conceptualization and observation of pilot projects in various member countries exemplifying some of the features arrived at theoretically. There are three major parts. The first part consists of the report of the symposium held in Siena in 1979. Topics treated include work and permanent education, school and permanent education, and local and regional development and permanent education. Final recommendations are presented. The second part summarizes observations made at the 25 projects visited. Projects dealing with basic education, secondary and tertiary education, and continuing education of adults are described. The third part consists of the final report of the "permanent education" project, which examined 25 pilot experiments to judge how far the theory of permanent education was being validated in actual practice. Lessons learned from the projects visited are discussed. (RM)