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This document consists of 12 papers that, together, summarize the key issues underpinning future research and policy development related to intergenerational programs (IPs). "Introduction" (Alan Hatton-Yeo) discusses the project out of which the papers developed. "A General Assessment of IP Initiatives in the Countries Involved" (Ann-Kristin Bostrum, Alan Hatton-Yeo, Toshio Oshako, Yukiko Sawano) considers the historical and cultural roots of IPs, the role of IPs as instruments for solving priority social problems in given countries, the status of IPs, the training of IP professionals, and future needs and assessment of IPs. "Public Policy and Research Recommendations: An International Perspective" (Alan Hatton-Yeo, Jumbo Klerq, Toshio Oshako, Sally Newman) presents general recommendations, recommendations concerning four specific impact areas of IPs in public policy (economy and employment, society, lifelong learning, health), and recommendations concerning IP development and implementation strategies. The remaining papers, which focus on the past, present, and future of IPs in specific countries, are as follows: "China" (Sun Maintao); "Cuba" (Raul Hernandez Castellon); "Germany" (Ludger Veelken); "Japan" (Yukiko Sawano); "The Netherlands" (Jumbo Klerq); "Palestine" (Nora Kort); "South Africa" (Cathy Gush); "Sweden" (Ann-Kristin Bostrum); "The United Kingdom" (Alan Hatton-Yeo); and "The United States" (Sally Newman). The bibliography contains 47 references. (MN)

This paper explores what small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) policy is about, how it is pursued in Europe, and the differences between the European countries. According to the author, the overall objectives of SME policy are to create employment, foster economic growth, improve competitiveness, and regional/structural development. The SME-related policy pursued in most European countries involves a collection of various objectives and fields of economic policy rather than a conceptual framework. The author discusses the various approaches of SME policy that take place in the following European countries: Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, and Belgium. The author also discusses the variation of instruments used in the following fields of SME policy: start-ups, finance, exports and internationalization, information, research and development, labor, and red tape.