The Azaland Project: Global Financial Literacy Advocacy
The Azaland Project is a special, noble and global project that should get the attention of anyone who uses or needs money. In fact, it should be of interest to everyone. Why? Because it's purpose is to ensure that everyone has all it takes to continually make sound financial decisions and break free of financial bondages in all forms. Globally, the levels of financial literacy vary. Africa records the lowest rating where only 1 in 3 people is considered financially literate. Hence the primary focus of The Azaland Project on Africa.
[b]Our Vision[/b]
[quote]To sensitize and educate more people to understand money better and manage their finances wisely towards a lifetime of informed financial decisions.[/quote]
[b]Our Mission[/b]
[quote]To impact our community to become a place where more and more people become more financially literate, improve their overall quality of life, increase productivity, positively impact national GDP and find overall life fulfilment.[/quote]
The foundation of this project is based on these two premises:
[size=150][b]1. The Implications of Our Financial Decisions[/b][/size]
Financial decisions most times have huge impacts on our lives, yet we underestimate them many times. Whereas, research confirmed that only 1 in 3 persons globally is considered to be financially literate. Truth be told, that is poor ratio, considering how much finance or money impacts our lives.
[b]Financial Literacy is the possession of the requisite knowledge, skills and behavioural patterns that enable a person make sound financial decisions or choices day after day.[/b] This encompasses personal life, family and business. Financial decisions are critical decisions. Their impacts sometimes transcend even generations and several families and geography. That is huge and requires being given the high priority it deserves. Example of a financial decision is placing of $1000 in a fixed deposit account. Another example of financial decision is to use N10,000 to play sports betting.
[size=150][b]2. The Financial Implications of Our Non-Financial Decisions[/b] [/size]
While the examples mentioned earlier are financial decisions, how about the financial implications of other, non-financial life decisions? We can consider keeping 10% of your income in a savings account as a direct financial decision. How about getting married at age of 20 while still living in Mama's house? That is not a financial decision but it sure has huge financial implications. Thus, financial literacy goes beyond financial decisions.
The traditional financial education is therefore faulty and incomplete in the sense that it uses a fire-fighting approach that focuses on financial decisions only. Whereas, a robust financial education is life education itself. It should encompass every decision in life - all of which have financial implications. That is a fact.
Now, let's analyze what The Azaland Project is all about.
It is simple: We are advocates!
[attachment=0]Advocacy.jpg[/attachment]
[size=150][b]Advocacy for Financial Literacy Globally[/b][/size]
This Advocacy goes beyond merely teaching financial education or knowledge or skills. Yes.
Global Financial Education is a huge undertaking and no single body can single-handedly achieve globally because of the budget implications.
However, here is The Azaland Project Strategy:
A form of Global Advocacy that not only impacts financial literacy knowledge at every opportunity with workshops, shows, adverts, digital materials and others, but also one that wakes up and sensitizes every stakeholder involved to take up responsibility to receive and/or impact financial literacy knowledge, skills and even practical examples or mentorship unto others or self, whomsoever requires it.
At Azaland, we consider Financial Literacy education as a fundamental human right. This is because the lack of such knowledge can, and is being used by selfish people or group of people as weapons of slavery or even war. This is witnessed in highly capitalist business organisations in developing nations where the employers obviously extort or cheat the employees who either lack the knowledge of their rights or the means to demand for it. This may come in form of underpayment, refusal to pay employees benefits, fraudulent employment offers, breaching of employment contracts, and poor emoluments in general.
The Azaland Project will sound the alarm of Advocacy to all parties who we deem as having the profound responsibility to ensure that everyone under their purview receives the required financial literacy education and skills, and quality financial services as well, and also set example in so doing as they conduct their day to day activities.
For example:
1. [b]Parents, Guardians[/b]
We believe parents have this ultimate natural responsibility to inculcate into their children the required education and skills from birth. And not just that, they ought to be their mentor and lead them by example. They will end up grooming adults with better financial skills, helping to build a better world.
2. [b]Governments, Authorities[/b]
Governments need to care about the financial literacy of their people. Some oppressive regimes could even use the opposite as weapons of slavery or war.
The Azaland Project is planned to wake up Governments and authorities to this responsibility and also open their eyes to the realizable benefits. See the Azaland mission statement as it explains how a better financially literate population could lead to higher National GDP.
3. [b]Businesses, Corporate Organisations [/b]
This one is critical. Many employers not only shy away from educating their employees, many even exploit the financial knowledge gap for personal business gain, thus enslaving their employees more or cheating them of their rights.
In many developing nations in West Africa for example, we see corporate organisations like banks that have no regards for employee rights; the employees are not even allowed to have unions. Sometimes you work decades in those banks, you resign and you get nothing! Many Nigerian bankers have similar experiences. Many banks breach employment contracts too.
4. [b]Schools, Educational Institutions [/b]
This is even the most disappointing of all, especially in developing nations. Look at the curricula of these schools. Do they inculcate the required financial education and skills needed for proper upbringing of students to become better financially literate adults?
Some schools have started seeing the need for this though, but there's still so much work to do. This goes to ministries of education too since they have a say in building and approval of school curricula.
Schools should see to it that while students are being taught core subjects of sciences and others, they are equally being impacted the required financial education, skills and mentorship so they can graduate as better money managers. What's the point if graduating with first class in Law certification but you don't even know how to manage your salary properly? Or dont even know how invest your extra savings? Falling for s cam in the process? That's a poor state I think.
I have given just 4 examples of parties who should take up responsibility. But that's not all.
Azaland looks to partner with interested parties, bodies, NGOs and everyone who would love to align with our global goal and make the world a better place through this financial literacy advocacy.
[b][size=150]Africa First - On the Spotlight[/size][/b]
According to the S&P’s Global Financial Literacy Survey, [b]African countries score the worst in financial literacy rating globally.[/b] Finance topics such as interest rates, loan requirements, saving, budgeting, and loan risks are among the many areas in which most Africans lack knowledge.
With the rapidly evolving financial landscape of Africa, it is regarded as matter of urgency to address this poor level of financial literacy on the continent. The Azaland project has therefore put Africa on the spotlight as the first focus in our Glocal Advocacy Movement. We have started working with the key stakeholders in line with our timeline of programs in order to enrich the lives of the African people with the knowledge needed.
In the history of Africa, knowledge has proven itself to be the key weapon of emancipation from all forms of bandages. Knowledge is power. And that is why The Azaland project employs the knowledge-first strategy. Learn more on the Azaland Advocacy Programs page.
[b]Yours truly,
Jared
Team Azaland[/b]
