书稿由国际一流学者教授写成，这些学者都活跃并任职于美国各大名校的教学和科研岗位。第一部分：第一章阐述了泰国的教育背景和现行的教育体制；第二章叙述了中东和北非的古老教育体制和哲学理论根据，以及正在进行的成人教育改革和现行的教育体制；第三章描写了非洲特殊社会的哲学理论；第四章阐明了埃及的教育发展过程，及埃及与美国的教育到底有多少关系等问题；作为主体的第五章，全面地比较了中国与美国的成人教育理论与实践，这一章为学者们研究东西方教育理论与实践提供了研究基础和方向。第二部分：进一步提供了更严密的国际教育理论，并对不同国家的理论与实践进行了分析，供学者参考。通过阅读全书，读者可以了解成人教育的过去，欣赏其丰富的历史，惊人的成就；同时也可以理解教育的困难、悲剧和挑战。通过阅读全书，读者从而得知每个人、每个国家的教育理论和教育实践在全球都有其一席之地。

Judith A. Cochran, Ph.D., is the E. Desmond lee Endowed Professor in Tutorial Education at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. In 2005 she was a Visiting Scholar at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas, Austin. Dr. Cochran had Fulbright Senior Lectureships in Egypt and Turkey. She authored the book Education in Egypt and multiple articles on education in the Middle East, and peace efforts of adult education in Israel and Palestine. Dr. Cochran may be reached at CochranJu@msx.umsl.edu.

Preface
Acknowledgements
The Editors
The Contributors
Introduction: A Constellation of Experience
Part HISTORY, PERSPECTIVES AND INSIGHTS
Chapter 1 Adult Education Praxis in Thailand: A Tapestry of Interdependence for Lifelong Learning
1.1 Adult Education Praxis in Thailand
1.2 The Intersection of Andragogy and Buddhism
1.3 Conclusion
References
Chapter 2 The Challenges of Education the Adults of the Middle East and North Africa
2.1 Introduction and History of the Region
2.2 Factors Affecting Educational Policy
2.3 Educational Issues in the MENA States
2.4 Women's Issues of Equality and Access to Education
2.5 Case Study of Adult Education Applications in the Middle East
2.6 Conclusions
References
Chapter 3 Ubuntuism: An African Social Philosophy Relevant to Adult Learning and Workplace Learning
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Why the History of Adult Learning?
3.3 Why the Philosophy of Adult Learning?
3.4 Meaning of Ubuntuism
3.5 The Core Principles of Ubuntuism Worldview
3.6 The Spirituality Principle
3.7 The Relevance of Spirituality Concept to Adult and Workplace Learning
References
Chapter 4 Reactions to Western Educational Practice: Adult Education in Egypt
Chapter 5 Chinese Knowledge Transmitters of Western Learning Facilitators Adult Teaching Methods Compared
Part 2 THEORETICAL BASES
Chapter 6 How Contextually Adapted Philosophies and the Situational Role of Adult Educators Affect Learners' Transformation and Emancipation
Chapter 7 Expanding Our Thinking about Andragogy: Toward the International Foundation for its Research, Theory and Practice Development-A Continuing Research Study
Chapter 8 Pedagogy of the Oppressed
Chapter 9 Exploring Feminist Research and Pedagogy in a Crucible of Tragedy: International Perspectives Creating Meaning and Response
Chapter 10 New Perspectives on Gains in the ABE Classroom: Transformational Learning Results Considered
Chapter 11 Confucius and Mezirow-Understanding Mezirow's Theory of Reflectivity from Confucian Perspectives: A Model and Perspective
Chapter 12 Conclusion: Creating a Global Future of Transformation and Learning
Index