The articles on different subjects of the broader theme «lifelong learning» represent the latest results of the discussions of the «Vocational Education and Culture Research Network». The contributions, written by authors from six European countries, mention nearly the whole spectrum of issues and arguments distinguishing the current debate on lifelong learning. The publication includes therefore questions of biographies as well as system-oriented approaches, it refers to international comparisons as well as to country studies, to self-organised and -directed learning as well as to the role of institutions, to gender aspects as well as to the importance of age.