Attempts are made to summarize some main points and results discussed at the IAU Symposium No. 228 in Paris, May 2005. It is concluded that, although the situation in areas pioneered by F. and M. Spite is nowdays rather complex, some important progress has recently been made, and more is expected to occur within the next few years if the level of ambition in the astronomical community is kept at the high level set by the pioneers.