a series of media. we have identified at least six topics that we will be addressing on a phased basis through face - to - face interaction with these groups. we will commence with presentations on budgeting and saving. over the next three ( 3 ) to six ( 6 ) months, the programme will promote budgeting and saving as key elements of proper financial management. we will then review the programme, with a view to tweaking and improving it where necessary before we roll out the other topics. other topics we hope to address in this phase are : borrowing and purchasing a home, credit / debit cards, insurance, retirement planning and estate planning, and investing and the stock market. we believe that this direct intervention will be key to influencing changes in personal financial management and we therefore hope to utilise this medium extensively. we have identified several groups that can possibly benefit from these presentations. however, if you have a group or know of one that might be interested, please contact the bank. we will seek to accommodate you where ever possible. in addition to dialoging with you in open fora we intend to use the mass media and the internet to spread our messages and to inform and educate you. we are also hoping to work with the ministry of education to create a programme specially for school children as we believe that financial literacy is better started with the young. we recognize that education about managing personal finances should begin at an early age. hence, we hope to place considerable emphasis on the programme for children of school age. let me reiterate that the national financial education programme is not intended to create financial experts, but to help you improve your financial circumstances and assist you in realizing your financial goals : be they purchasing a home, planning for your kids ’ education, planning for retirement or insuring your home. it is designed to assist you in improving the financial decisions that affect your everyday lives. before crafting our programme, we conducted a survey so as to measure whether barbadians would embrace it. we canvassed about 25 workplaces and we received responses from 250 persons, including the bank ’ s staff. the results of the survey show that barbadians are receptive to the national financial education programme. the respondents felt that education on such areas as budgeting and investing, coping with the cost of living, retirement planning ; purchasing a home, financing a child ’ s education and credit and debit card management was key. their responses were consistent with the subject areas on which

d., and ll. m. from the george washington university, washington, dc, one of the most distinguished universities in the us. since november 1978, he has practiced law in washington, d. c., where he is currently a partner with berliner corcoran & rowe. he has served as a consultant, counsel and lobbyist for fourteen governments, including our own, on various subjects, many relating to aspects of international criminal or enforcement law. his work for governments has included negotiating, advising and providing public relations support on international enforcement agreements. bruce has served as a consultant to the u. s. agency for international development, the british high commission, and un projects on anti - money laundering and organized crime. bruce ’ s work for private banks and corporations has involved counseling on prevention strategies, on complying with anti - money laundering requirements, on the development of due diligence procedures, and on compliance with transnational corruption laws. bruce has served as an expert witness and / or consultant on several occasions. the list of particulars is a long one. he has handled transfer of prisoner applications and advised accused and convicted persons of the operation of applicable treaties and the pros and cons bis central bankers ’ speeches of applying under them. he has been active in civil prosecution on behalf of victims of transnational crimes and torts. bruce has testified before congress in the us on the caribbean basin economic recovery act, on the u. s. government ’ s efforts to combat international tax evasion, on mutual legal assistance treaties, and on a national gambling impact study. bruce ’ s work with the executive branch of the us government includes advising on strategy for dealing with international organized crime, as well as writing, advising and lecturing on money laundering, international tax enforcement, and financial investigations. he has lectured to u. s. diplomats and staff, as well as to foreign governments and officials. since 1985, bruce has edited the international enforcement law reporter, a monthly publication which discusses developments in international criminal and related enforcement law matters. it can be viewed at http : / / www. ielr. com. he has written extensively on issues of international criminal law, in a wide variety of publications. bruce has appeared on many of the leading international media networks, and has been interviewed and quoted in the international press. to cap it all, bruce zagaris has been an advisor on international criminal law to a succession of barbadian government administrations, and has been, and continues