ABSTRACT
Social policy programmes are the best way to enhance social protection and to reduce vulnerability. The economic, environmental and social situation in the world challenges national policies; international cooperation is needed. Within national social policies a stage has been reached where there is a growing need to replace vertical policy-making by horizontal activities and connections. Social capital is based on inclusion, participation and promotion of an enabling environment. There are many societal phenomena and challenges in the Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries that have to be faced when speaking about transforming disability into ability. All the OECD countries will face the rapid societal development into information societies. In an information society, learning and skills becomes a major asset, and people with learning disorders and poor learning environments will easily face marginalisation and exclusion. The hectic working life produces more and more stress-related problems and disorders.
