Reaching out to all

It should come as no surprise that change is often met with a little bit of apprehension. It is a perfectly understandable and natural reaction to new situations which require a departure from the skill set one had already learnt. To facilitate this process, adequate preparation is the key to ensuring that any type of challenge is met with confidence and success.

This is precisely why the National Euro Changeover Committee (NECC) has developed the Living With The Euro training tool kit, which aims to equip NECC certified trainers within the social sector with the best tools for the adequate and timely preparation for all those facing certain challenges throughout the changeover.

A number of practical tools forming part and parcel of the kit have been developed with this aim in mind. Such tools include an easy-to-read booklet, an educational DVD and audio cassette, a multilingual leaflet, the BOV Converter and the Audio Converter in the Maltese language. These tools will be available to all those individuals who can potentially benefit from their use.

Further back-up, assistance and practical sessions are also being provided by the relevant organisations and institutions that are collaborating with the NECC through the Train The Trainer Programme.

Our main aim is to ensure accessibility to information and this, of course, brought about the need to develop communication channels that would effectively deliver the key messages of the changeover to all. The easy-to-read booklet can be used by young and old, as well as by persons with a lower level of literacy. The DVD and audio cassetes are the perfect way to access practical information in an entertaining way without being overloaded by excessivley technical detail.

No information campaign that seeks to include all levels of society would be complete without attempting to overcome any language barriers that may be present between the public and our tourist and/or immigrant population.

In order to overcome these obstacles, the NECC has also published multilingual leaflets which feature key information on the euro in French, Arabic, Tigrigna and Amharic. Multilingual notices are also being distributed at all ports so as to raise awarness among incoming tourists.

The Living With The Euro training tool kit aims to facilitate this process, with the use of the specially developed educational products which are included in the package. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect and there is nothing better than individual or group work where the practical everyday use of the euro notes and coins can actually be put into practice.

Such sessions are being conducted at at government level, and in conjunction with private institutions. This comprehensive approach, along with the tailormade tools described above, will surely prove to be of great benefit it to all. Further assistance and information on such training and information sessions are available by phoning Linja Ewro 154 or by e-mailing our team of information officers on euro@gov.mt.

Ms Azzopardi is information officer with NECC.