Education and training have taken on new significance in today's integrating world economy, with the need to enhance productivity and competitiveness. This definitive report sheds light on this shift towards societies that increasingly rely on human knowledge and skills to produce goods and services, and secure decent work for everyone. The report gives an extensive overview of the five major principles underlying contemporary human resources development and training policies, laws and practices. It also reviews the reforms currently under way in various countries that encourage more and better learning and training opportunities for employed and unemployed workers, as well as those with special needs. International cooperation and donor policies in the area of human resources development are also explored, providing a balanced overall picture of the state of learning and training in the world today.