What is the project Straight to the Point about?
The project is led by the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities (AFLRA) and the Research Institute for the Languages of Finland. The pilot local authorities participating in the project are Kemiönsaari, Loviisa, Maalahti, Mustasaari and Vöyri, and the Swedish-speaking daycare and education unit of the City of Espoo.
Their work is supported by a reference group consisting of some 20 experts from different fields of society. The number of people participating in the project totals close to 100.
The project is implemented between 2010 and 2013 as part of AFLRA’s development work with the aim to assist local authorities to improve their level of services.
How does the project Straight to the Point work?
The project
- discusses attitudes towards writing
- revises important texts that do not read smoothly
- edits texts
- writes new texts
- compiles writing guides
- builds word and phrase banks
- draws up models for writing and model texts
- arranges seminars
- organises courses on writing
- develops an electronic platform and database
Objectives of the project
At project level the objective is to tailor models and examples on how to write clearer and this way reduce the distance between local authorities and their residents. The model texts are accessible in an open electronic text database on the Web.
At network level, the objective is to create a permanent network independent of the function or geographic location for language collaboration between local authorities.
At local government level, every local authority will draw up a long-term plan with the objective to improve written communication.
At the level of individuals, the objective is to encourage local government personnel to actively improve their linguistic competence when communicating with local residents and clients. Everybody must be offered polished, clear and easily understandable language.