These proceedings begin with the schedule, conference committee membership lists, and detailed agenda of the 1997 conference of the Academy of Human Resource Development, which explored the future of human resource development (HRD). Presented next are papers on HRD from scholars affiliated with organizations from 12 countries. The papers are grouped by the conference's 34 symposium topics: university instruction in HRD; evaluation in HRD; strategic HRD; international HRD perspectives; informal workplace learning; enhancing team performance; research issues in HRD; adult learning in the workplace; changing organizational forms; instructional technology; work analysis and expertise; work force issues facing HRD; essential competencies for internal and external organizational development consultants; transfer of learning; learning organization practices; university HRD programs; HRD and performance outcomes; contextual learning issues; organization development and change; integrity in HRD; assessing the learning organization; leadership and executive development; advancing the profession through journals; charting the future of HRD; measurement and research tools; the purpose and place of HRD; global HRD; motivation to learn and perform; enhancing individual readiness; linking HRD practice and research; career issues in organizations; performance improvement processes; management development; assessing employee skills; and individual learning issues. (MN)