To hope for some help from the community in one's old age but also when coping with difficult situations in one's life, such as having to depend upon support from others and sickness.

This conference basically aims to provide information on programmes and policies which are being adopted throughout Europe to help seriously disabled people.

The Istituto Sacra Famiglia was founded at the beginning of the XX century to help people with both physical and psychical disabilities who lived in the countryside around the city of Milan.

The Fondazione Luigi Moneta was founded in 1977 in memory of Mgr. Moneta, who had worked with the Istituto for 35 years. The Foundation actively promotes the professional and ethical training of social workers and medical staffs through a number of initiatives.

In the European Year of Disabled People the workshop is also an opportunity for the participants to find more information on potential ethical and social problems associated with helping disabled people.