1. Introduction. D.V. McQueen, P. Puska. 2. Why is global surveillance necessary? Towards global surveillance of non-communicable disease risk factors: developments and challenges; P. Puska. 3. The who stepwise approach to surveillance (steps) of non-communicable disease risk factors; R. Bonita, et al. 4. Partnerships, strategies, and alliances for global surveillance; V. Lin. 5. Analysis and interpretation of data from the U.S. behavioural risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS); D. Holtzman. 6. Surveillance systems and data analysis: continuously collected behavioural data. British and American samples; S. Campostrini. 7. Finbalt health monitor, monitoring health behaviour in Finland and the Baltic countries; R. Prattala, et al. 8. Towards a European health monitoring system. Results of a pilot study on physical activity; A. Rutten, et al. 9. Comparison of surveillance data on metropolitan and rural health. Diabetes in southern Australia as an example; D.H. Wilson. 10. Did they use it? Beyond the collection of surveillance information; J.M. Ottoson, D.H. Wilson. 11. Harmonising local health survey data. The EURALIM experience; A. Morabia, et al. 12. Analysis, interpretation, and use of complex social and behavioural surveillance data. Looking back in order to go forward; D.V. McQueen, L. Gauger Elsner. 13. Mega country health promotion network surveillance initiative. Strengthening the capacity of the world's most populous countries to monitor non-communicable disease behavioural risk factors; K.A. Douglas, et al. 14. Epidemiological surveillance system in Latin America andthe Caribbean. Perspectives, challenges, and solutions; L.de Salazar. 15. Creating a synthetic behavioural risk factor index to assess trends in surveillance data. An index of risk for cardio-vascular disease as an example; S. Campostrini, D.V. McQueen. 16. Perspectives on building infrastructure, comparing data, and using surveillance data in developing countries; D.V. McQueen, et al. 17. Non-communicable disease surveillance in Latin America and the Caribbean. Advances supported by the Pan American health organization; S.J. Corber, et al. 18. Perspectives on global risk factor surveillance. Lessons learned and challenges ahead; D.V. McQueen.