The global economic downturn has highlighted the damaging impact of financial illiteracy on individuals, families, communities and entire nations. The need to teach people how to spend, save, invest, borrow and manage debt wisely has become more important than ever, in both developed and developing countries.
As governments implement policies to promote economic recovery, financial education programmes should be targeted at all levels of society – the most vulnerable and the financially excluded, as well as the general public – to help sustain consumer confidence and create economies that can better withstand market fluctuations.
The Citi-FT Financial Education Summit, now in its sixth year, has become the most established annual international forum on financial literacy. The 2009 Summit in Singapore – coming as policy-makers strive to strengthen their economies and learn from the turbulence that has affected people worldwide – will be one of the most significant of the series.
Building on the success of previous Summits in
Hong Kong,
Malaysia,
South Korea,
India and
Beijing, this year's event will convene around 300 representatives of non-profit organisations, financial institutions, government agencies/regulators, multilateral institutions, microfinance institutions, consumer advocacy groups, educational organisations and private business – from Singapore, Asia-Pacific and beyond.
- Gain insights into how financial education can boost the financial security of individuals and communities
- Discuss the innovative use of mass media, technology and Web 2.0 in broadening the reach of financial education
- Explore how financial education can be integrated into workplace programmes and environmental education
- Learn about some of the best financial literacy initiatives for vulnerable groups such as low-income women, older people, and disadvantaged youth
- Examine how asset-building combined with financial education can help achieve financial inclusion
