This document contains information about the first four international conferences on adult education and their political, social, and educational contexts. The document presents chronological summaries of key events that occurred in the political, social, and educational spheres in each of the years from 1945 through 1997. The discussions of each of the four conferences (which were respectively held in Elsinore, Denmark in 1949; Montreal, Canada in 1960; Tokyo, Japan in 1972; and Paris, France in 1985) are grounded in their respective critical contexts: the postwar period (1945-1949); the outbreak of decolonization (1960); the heart of the Cold War and what appeared to be certain economic growth (1972); and the middle of the economic crisis (1985). Overviews of each of the four conferences are presented along with the conference declarations and summaries of the activities of the conferences commissions. Special attention is paid to the activities of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and to international efforts in the areas of literacy, lifelong learning, continuing training, and supporting community development from within. Three papers are included: "I Was in Elsinore..." (Mark Van Aelbrouck); "Testimony" (Serge Wagner); and "Adult Education in a Changing World" (Serge Wagner). (MN)