The Consulting Interface Outreach, as a registered charity, exists to address the inequities created by the free enterprise system within an open economy, on account of the lack of information, education and objective counsel.

We have identified that the financial services sector operates, within a general climate of consumer ignorance.  This leads to severe inequities in the system.  Sometimes unwittingly, successful commercial interests perpetuate a cycle of poverty and disenfranchisement within a growing segment of the population, through mass media communication, advertising and easily accessible credit.  It is believed that:

• this situation is not limited to Trinidad and Tobago but is endemic regionally and beyond

• such inequities cannot be addressed adequately by legislation, but through the      education and empowerment of the masses of consumers

• unfortunately, those most in need of assistance are often unable to pay for it

Socio-Economic Spill-off

When consumer ignorance is rampant within an open economy, free enterprise often militates against the interest of large segments of the population.  Knowledge in the hands of a few creates an unfair advantage, which undermines the very exercise of freedom by the majority.  At the same time, mass media communication subtly fills vacant minds with ambitions and desires, which run counter to their own interests while enriching the pockets of the fortunate few.

Macro-economic fundamentals may appear strong, in such an economy while a socio-economic crisis exists.  Sadly however, partisan politics and big business may pay only token homage to the solving of these problems, disregarding the fundamental issues, which form their breeding ground (i.e. the lack of social responsibility and the absence of customer education).  The Consulting Interface Outreach seeks to address the said issues.

Objectives

1. To deliver financial planning services, programmes and counselling to communities, groups and individuals who are in need of same, but unable to pay in full or in part for the said services.

2. To deliver, in pursuit of the above, the following but not exclusively; training programmes, seminars and workshops and individual financial counselling.

3. To target the youth in communities, primary and secondary schools, with special programmes designed to build purpose, self-reliance, entrepreneurship and the appropriate skills necessary to function competently in a free enterprise system.

4. To work with other non-government organisations (local and international), with compatible objectives and complementary resources and skill sets, in pursuit of the above.

5. To source funding and donations, from agencies and individuals; to raise finance through programmes and projects, and to make contributions of time and resource to further the aforesaid objectives.