Contents	6
	Foreword	8
	Acknowledgments	12
	A project defined	14
	Introduction	14
	A project defined	14
	Basic considerations and research questions	17
	The work program	19
	Debates and exchange: From multiple perspectives toward interdisciplinary insight	22
	Outline of this volume	25
	Chapter 1: Competence priorities in policy and practice	26
	Introduction	26
	Insurmountable differences or common vision?	28
	Key competencies in education, the economy, and other sectors	30
	Lists of key competencies	48
	Chapter 2: A holistic model of competence	54
	Introduction	54
	The concept of competence	56
	Elaboration and clarification	60
	Implications for policy: Toward competencies for all	69
	Chapter 3: Key competencies: Meeting important challenges in life	76
	Introduction	76
	Definition of key competencies	79
	A common vision of the world as a backdrop	81
	Theoretical and conceptual foundations	86
	Three categories of key competencies	98
	Key competencies in different contexts	117
	Chapter 4: Desired outcomes: A successful life and a well-functioning society	122
	Introduction	122
	Competencies for what purpose?	125
	What is a successful life?	127
	What is a well-functioning society?	140
	Synchronization of the quality of life and of society	145
	Chapter 5: Reflections on international competence assessments	148
	Introduction	148
	The policy yield of comparative assessments of competencies	149
	Building on DeSeCo in future assessments	157
	Lessons from current assessment programs	164
	Areas for future work	171
	Chapter 6: Developing a long-term strategy for international assessments	174
	Where do we stand today? Looking back	174
	Where do we need to be? Looking forward	177
	How can we get there? Challenges and issues	182
	Concluding remarks	194
	Afterword	200
	The indicator context	200
	Creating a vision for the future	201
	Embarking on a bold adventure	202
	References	204
	Biographical notes	218