Coherence is the logical connection between parts of a whole avoiding contradictions, while coordination is the creation or utilization of decision-making rules through which two or more actors engage in a joint undertaking. Both concepts adjust to the social policy context.

Tackling inequality from a comprehensive perspective demands more comprehensive, effective and efficient social policies and programmes, for which it is crucial that coherence and coordination act as complementary, non-exclusionary characteristics.

Coherence is best understood in the social policy and programme context at three levels: external coherence, internal coherence and coherence between the distinct social policies and programmes.

In the social policy and programme context, coordination translates into the capacity of two or more institutions to jointly perform and coordinate tasks directed at achieving a common social policy goal.

Various experiences in Latin American and Caribbean countries illustrate the manner in which they have properly addressed social policy coherence and coordination.

The search for greater coherence and coordination must be a firm, dedicated and necessary effort because to it is possible to achieve more comprehensive effective social policies when both are present.