Non-formal education: is it relevant or obsolete?
Introduction 
The importance of non-formal education in the Pacific Region cannot be overemphasized. This presentation argues that it is very relevant and contributes significantly to national developments and in its flexible approaches, seen as a means of addressing some of the pertinent global issues facing the nations in the Pacific Islands. As global issues affect the people culturally, socially, economically and politically, the role of non-formal education becomes very critical in how these issues are addressed. The role of non-formal approaches to adult learning, gender equality, health, sustainable environment and peace and conflict resolution are being widely advocated by both government and non-government organizations in the Pacific Island nations. 
Broadly conceived, non-formal education is not a new concept but an educative process that has been in existence in pre-literate societies. Increasing evidence exists to substantiate the claim that non-formal education is an old concept with a new name. In the Pacific Island nations non-formal education is integrated in the life style of the people. This article first examines non-formal education in the traditional context, and then discusses the reasons for NFE in the region, its conceptualization, and its contribution to the needs in the Pacific Region.
Lifelong Education and International Relations
Argues that lifelong education has a vital role to play in fostering international political understanding and demonstrates how educational planners can use the concept to deal with inherent contradictions in education systems.
The Effect of Summarizing Strategy on Reading Comprehension of Iranian Intermediate EFL Learners
Reading comprehension plays a significant role in educational success. In spite of its importance, students still have difficulties in understanding texts. One solution to the problem of poor reading comprehension is the learning of reading strategies. The current study examined the effect of summarizing strategy on reading comprehension of Iranian intermediate EFL learners. Sixty-one students were selected and randomly divided into two control and experimental groups. The homogeneity of their proficiency level was established using a TOEFL proficiency test. All students in both groups participated in a reading comprehension test as pretest. The experimental group utilized summarizing strategy three times a week typically 45 minutes in duration for ten weeks. After each two week instruction, an immediate posttest was administered. At the end of the treatment, a post-test was administered to both groups. The findings of the study indicated that summarizing strategy has a significant effect on learners’ reading comprehension.