ECCB 2021-2022 Annual Report and Statement of Accounts

EASTERN CARIBBEAN CENTRAL BANK ANNUAL REPORT 2021/2022 13

Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance

ECCB Children’s Connection Radio Programme The ECCB Children’s Connection Radio Programme was rolled out in September 2021 throughout the eight ECCB member countries. The programme is aired once per month on 10 radio stations and targets children aged 5-12. The 30-minute live radio programme, which was shortlisted for a 2022 Central Banking Award for Communication, comprises a principal lesson, a value lesson and a learning and retention segment where the children are allowed to call in and answer questions based on the principal lesson.

The objectives of the ECCB Children’s Connection Radio programme are to develop the youth’s understanding of everyday financial and economic issues; and to help with their overall personal development.

For the period under review, the following topics were covered: Money Matters – Definition and Forms of Money; The ECCB and the EC Currency; Needs and Wants; Budgeting; Saving for the Future and Goods and Services.

The call-in segment of the programme featured quizzes to guage the children’s understanding and retention of the material.

ECCB Blog and Digital Dialogues The ECCB Blog and ECCB Digital Dialogues initiatives, which were launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, continued to serve as important vehicles for the Bank’s engagement with the public on its strategic objectives and issues affecting the Currency Union. During the year, the Bank completed its first season of blogs which focused on key initiatives and priorities including: the digital economy, food and nutrition security, renewable energy and the lessons learnt from the pandemic with respect to health care and public finances. The Bank undertook a review of the first season of the ECCB Blog which included conducting a survey to gain insights from viewers and readers. The findings of the review will be used to enhance the Blog publications and extend its reach. Read ECCB Blog The ECCB Digital Dialogues remained an important platform for sharing views on the threats and opportunities presented by the pandemic. During the year, the Dialogues featured distinguished panellists who spoke on a range of topics including health care, small businesses and education.

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