The World Conference is the outcome of a partnership between the Government of Portugal, the International Labour Office (ILO), and the European Commission.The first two of these partners have entered into a more specific Cooperation Agreement for the implementation of a project entitled “ Fight against Social Exclusion – STEP Portugal 2”. The decision to organise the Conference reflects, in addition, a joint determination reached at high level by the European Commission and the ILO to strengthen their cooperation in the areas of social protection and inclusion.