Presented in capsule form for the convenience of busy policy makers, planners, and program managers, this booklet summarizes major findings of a three-year study on practical aspects of rural development, with particular emphasis on ways of alleviating extreme poverty among disadvantaged rural families. Using case studies from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Thailand as a basis, the report contains sections on the new international consensus, the genesis of the new consensus, getting to know the rural poor, toward better integration, toward greater community participation, the importance of front-line workers, educating villagers for change, new roles for voluntary organizations, some practical next steps, and an epilogue. Stressing that the first "must" for anyone desiring to help the rural poor is to get to know them before deciding on what specific program approach to adopt to meet their needs, the document further suggests that another important requirement is to focus on the whole family. Noting that the family improvement measures in the study (health, nutrition, family planning, etc.) do not in themselves comprise a total rural development strategy, the report emphasizes that these essentials must be part of a broader strategy that also includes strong measures for accelerating rural economic growth. (BRR)