This book shows leaders in adult and continuing education how to use the principles of strategic planning and cooperative leadership to strengthen and improve programs. Chapter 1 covers why it is important to strengthen agency planning and impact and how a comparative perspective can help agency leaders improve contextual analysis and recognize major issues and societal influences. Chapters 2-13 follow a similar format. Each focuses on a specific program area and pertinent planning issues. After an introduction to clientele, providers, program characteristics, and planning issues, examples from the United States and other national settings follow. A general overview of adult education in the featured country provides background for references in other chapters to its specific adult education practices. Each chapter concludes with implications for strategic planning. Program areas are as follows: part-time study; basic education and literacy; programs for cultural minorities; distance education; staff development; correctional education; cultural programs; continuing professional education; education for elders; rural development; health education; and community problem solving. Chapter 14 analyzes societal influences with implications for strategic planning. Ten guidelines for strategic leadership of adult education agencies stress comprehensive programs that make a real impact. Appendixes include the following: 175 case descriptions from 32 countries; case coordinators; main types of societal influences; 493 references; and name and subject indexes. (YLB)