This collection of 12 essays is drawn from a May 1990 panel meeting in Paris, France in conjunction with a joint United Nations University/United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization project on "The Changing Role of the Universities." Papers are grouped into those on: the general role of the university, regional conceptions of the university, the economics of higher education, and strategies of learning. Essays include: (1) "The Idea of the University: Changing Roles, Current Crisis and Future Challenges" (Torsten Husen); (2) "Evolution of Universities" (Yash Pal); (3) "Universities in the Post-Industrial Society" (Edward W. Ploman); (4) "The Role of the University in Asia in the 21st Century" (Ungku A. Aziz); (5) "Higher Education in Africa" (T. L. Maliyamkono); (6)"Education for All in Latin America in the 21st Century and the Challenges of External Indebtedness" (Fernando Reimers); (7) "The State Socialist Model of Higher Education: An Assessment" (Pal Tamas); (8) "Higher Education in Western Europe" (Wolfgang Mitter); (9) "Economics of Higher Education" (Mark Blaug); (10) "Global Learning" (Edward W. Ploman); (11) "Distance Education" (Jean-Marc Pottiez); and (12) "Using the Media" (Naomi E. Sargant). A discussion by Edward W. Ploman on provides concluding observations about the Paris meeting. (Some papers contain references.) (MSE)