This book reports on the expansion of open and distance learning during the past decade, examining ways in which open and distance learning for higher education has responded to the needs of the new society, and summarizing the lessons of recent practice for policymakers and educators. After an introductory chapter, "Open and Distance Learning for the New Society" (Keith Harry, Hilary Perraton), the six chapters of Part 1 ("Themes") are the following: "The Internationalization of Higher Education" (Denis Blight, Dorothy Davis, Alan Olsen); The Impact of Telecommunications" (Robin Mason); "Professional Reflective Practice and Lifelong Learning" (Patrick Guiton); "Flexible Learning and University Change" (Louise Moran, Brittmarie Myringer); and "The Costs of Distance Education (Thomas Hulsmann). Part 2 ("Regions") contains 15 papers organized by the regions of Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania: "Cooperation, Competition or Dominance: A Challenge in Southern Africa" (Tony Dodds, Evelyn Nonyongo, Jenny Glennie); "The Open University of Tanzania" (Geoffrey Mmari); "The University of the West Indies" (Ed Brandon); "Distance Education in Latin America: Growth and Maturity" (Fabio Chacon); "University Distance Education in Canada" (Douglas Shale); "The Bangladesh Open University: Mission and Promise" (Greville Rumble); "Distance Education in China" (Xingfu Ding); "The Open University of Hong Kong" (David Murphy, Yvonne Fung); "Developments, Networking and Convergence in India" (Santosh Panda); "Contemporary Distance Education in Taiwan" (Hung-Ju Chung);"Distance Education in Central and Eastern Europe" (Andras Szucs, Janet Jenkins); "Western Europe" (Hans-Peter Baumeister); "The European Commission and Open and Distance Learning" (Corinne Hermant-de-Callatay); "Distance Education in Australia" (Bruce King); and "The South Pacific: Kakai Mei Tahi" (Claire Matthewson, Ruby Va'a). The book concludes with an afterword, "Open Learning and/or Distance Education: Which One for What Purpose?" (John Daniel). Individual papers contain references. (KC)