Sarvodaya Fusion, the ICT for Development Arm of the Sarvodaya Movement being true to its long-standing ethos to serve the communities and empower the youth of this country recently launched the Personal Financial Literacy and Green Skills Programme 2022 in collaboration with HSBC. This programme is presented by HSBC and implemented by Sarvodaya Fusion for the youth, and was inaugurated at the CINEC Campus, Malabe on 30th November 2022.
The launch ceremony was attended by the Vice President – of Maritime Affairs, International Cooperation and Foreign Projects, CINEC – Capt. Peshala Medagama, Chairperson, Advisory Board, Sarvodaya Fusion – Mr Rohan Pandithakorralage, Corporate Sustainability Manager, HSBC – Ms Dilini Fernando, Consultant – Academic Affairs and Research, CINEC – Prof. Veranja Karunaratne, General Manager, Sarvodaya-Fusion – Ms. Maithree Malwattegoda, and Deputy General Manager, Sarvodaya – Fusion – Ms. Shirani Elasinghe . Session rollouts for the Personal Financial Literacy were conducted by Mr Amithe Gamage, CXO Coach, Personal Branding Strategist, and the Green Skills Activation session was rolled out by Mr Nishshanka De Silva, Founder, Zero Plastics National Movement.
Commenting on the launch Mr.Rohan Pandithakoralage, Chaiperson, Advisory Board of Sarvodaya Fusion said, “The 21st century demands an innovative blend of talents and skills of our young generation, so that they can make this Earth a better home planet, not just for themselves but also for everyone else and the environment. We are delighted to launch the Personal Financial Literacy and Green Skills Programme to help foster responsible and sustainable financial behaviour among youth and align their personal financial and green living goals.”
Adult Financial Literacy stands at 35% in Sri Lanka, while in advanced economics it stands at 65% on average. This is why, there’s no doubt that financial literacy is one of the key skill sets that Sri Lankan youth essentially needs, now more than ever. Hindered by the worst economic crisis since independence, Sri Lanka is now in need of a youth talent force which is well-equipped with the capabilities to increase much-needed economic prosperity. It is this need that drove Sarvodaya Fusion to offer an opportunity for the young generation to learn basic skills of personal finance management, investment avenues and acquisition of financial stability.
The main focus for Personal Financial Literacy by Mr Amithe Gamage was the fundamentals of this subject, such as budgeting and tracking expenses, creating an emergency fund, and understanding interest rates. Cost elements of money, life goals, and dreams, earning, saving and investing, real estate, tax planning and insurance. Giving away donations for causes, entrepreneurship, and continued personal development, focusing on five skill sets; Analytical, Management, People, Technical, and Creative.
Furthermore, while economic prosperity is required, in the long run, sustainability also depends on human, social and environmental factors. This invites us to embrace purposeful living, in other words, we need lifestyles and life skills by which we all can be conscious about the impact we make on the lives of others and our planet. Thus, Sarvodaya Fusion was excited to launch its inaugural Green Skills Activation in parallel to the Financial Literacy Programme, so the youth of Sri Lanka could receive a holistic understanding of skilling themselves with a purpose-driven lifestyle.
In the Green Skills Activation session, Mr Nishshanka De Silva spoke on what Green Finance is – an alignment of one’s personal financial and green living goals, how to reduce one’s carbon footprint – Reduce, Reuse & Recycle, and Green Investments such as Green loans, and Green Banking opportunities. He further elaborated on plastic pollution and microplastics which is an impact on the environment and human health. It concluded with a practical session, where they investigated the amount of microplastics in everyday products such as toothpaste and cosmetics.