Panel G.06 — Financial inclusion starts in school
Convenors Luca Refrigeri (Università del Molise, Italy); Maria Iride Vangelisti (Banca d’Italia, Italy)
Keywords Financial literacy, financial inclusion, financial education, financial wellness, financial literacy in school
Financial inclusion is defined as a condition in which households and firms have access to formal financial services, and are able to use them according to their needs. It is acknowledged that financial inclusion is a means to increase the well-being of households and businesses and their economic empowerment. However, financial inclusion may also have unintended consequences – such as overindebtedness – if people are not capable of understanding and managing the risks connected with financial access and the use of financial services. Thus, financial literacy plays an important role, alongside an inclusive technical and regulatory framework and adequate consumer protection measures.
It is important to start financial education in school in order to build adults who are able to plan for their future, manage smoothly their financial obligations, feel confident in their ability to absorb financial shocks, and pursue financial goals. Financial education in school may contribute to financially healthier individuals and families, each according to their possibilities and needs.
The panel will deep dive into the topic describing:
- The relationship between financial education, financial inclusion and financial wellness;
- The difficulties encountered in teaching financial literacy in school
- The possible measures to overcome those difficulties