Twenty-five years ago, there were a handful of professional organisations and journals covering the field of distance education.
Today there are several.
That other organisations with uniquely different goals see distance education as part of their agenda, is a healthy sign for the field. Distance educators likewise, see distance education as part of a larger picture, which includes broad and inclusive practices such as open and flexible learning and flexible delivery. This broad and inclusive view of the field is reflected in the wide range of topics covered by submissions to the Journal. In this regard, Volume 20 of this journal is rather special, however neither of the two issues in this Volume is devoted to any special theme. Her paper outlines the project and its context, explains the rationale for it, and analyses its achievements, limitations and lessons.