Euro Information Centre of the National Bank of Poland

Małgorzata Kloc-Konkołowicz

EuroTeam Meeting

Warsaw, 6 July 2012

Public opinion polls:•declining support for the introduction of the euro in Poland,•declining basic knowledge about the common currency, accompanied by a falling percentage of respondents who feel sufficiently informed, especially in the central region of Poland.

Source: TNS Polska, May 2012, „Przyjęcie wspólnej waluty w opinii Polaków.”

Aims:•to give fair information about the euro area, part of which Poland will become in the future and to familiarize the public with the currency they will use, once necessary conditions have been met,•to inform on the perspectives for introducing the euro in Poland and on the accompanying costs and benefits,•to inform about the impact the common currency would have both in general terms (on the economy) and in particular on households directly (individual level)

• The Centre was opened in February 2012.

• The aim of the Centre is not persuasion. It is to give accurate knowledge. Therefore the Centre is an educational initiative,

aimed primarily at school youth and university students, however not excluding any other group – the Centre is open to everybody, irrespective of age, profession or educational background.

• Location in Lodz– regional scale

initiative, – targeted at the local

community

• Pilot programme– To test the interest for such an

initiative, to see how the project works and if it is worthwhile to open similar centres in other cities

– To test particular instruments and channels of communication for future, when Poland will be joining the euro area and intensifying its communication.

• Materials, web access and multimedia available on the spot.

• Three consultants available in the Centre on week days.

The Centre offers:

•Regular meetings with the public (discussion sessions on a given subject introduced by a presentation given by an expert) – „Let’s talk about the euro”series.•High-profile lectures, given by top NBP’s officials.

• Presentations/ classes for school students on a variety of subjects, held in the Centre, combined with a visit in the Branch

• Lessons and events conducted by the Centre’s consultants in schools in Lodz and in the Lodzkie province

• Events involving large audiences– competitions,– outdoor events, – exhibitions: travelling euro exhibition of

the European Commission,– portable euro stand (in production),•

Cooperation with local authorities, organisations, business associations, schools, universities, the Centre for Teachers' Training