This report of the 40th anniversary meeting of the Unesco Institute for Education (UIE) discusses the Institute's program which has consistently reflected a concern with education as a lifelong phenomenon. Current priorities are the promotion of literacy and adult basic education, the extension of educational opportunities to children and young people out of school, and education for international understanding. In 1992, a major emphasis of UIE's research work is again on adult education. This report consists of the texts of four lectures. Included is Maria Montessori's address to the institute from June of 1951. The areas discussed include the tragedy of humanistic education, the purposes of education, the history of the institute, a formal celebration held in 1991, and the role of adult education. The four main lectures are presented in the original language of either French or German as well as in English. The lecture discussing the history of the institute divides the group's activities into three periods. The first from 1952-65 were spread over a range of topics of everyday educational importance. The second period from 1966-89 concentrated more on international outreach. From 1972 UIE adopted lifelong education as the framework on its research activities. The third period begins in 1990 with increased cooperation with UNESCO and new emphasis on research in adult education. The lecture on the purpose of education emphasizes the importance of the role of curiosity, history, individuality, and education for liberation. The lecture on humanistic education suggests that education has always been profoundly linked to the tragic vision of life and death. (DK)