OREANDA-NEWS. March 25, 2016. A record number of participants — about 14 thousand children across Lithuania — were involved in excursions, lectures, electronic lessons, games, conferences and competitions organised during the Global Money Week. This initiative was supported by 30 partners; nearly 500 projects took place, 261 schools and almost 300 school teachers participated in various activities. The Week’s events were crowned by the award ceremony of the winners of the schoolchildren’s comics competition ‘I save smart! So should you!’, which took place at the Bank of Lithuania.

More than 200 schoolchildren from 50 schools across Lithuania shared original ideas on how to save smart at the creative comics competition. The jury selected three best works within each of the three age groups. The winners are published here (in Lithuanian). In valuing the works, not only how the subject was expressed but the creativity and originality of the work were taken into consideration.

By the events of this year’s Global Money Week the Bank of Lithuania aimed to explain to schoolchildren why and how it is necessary to save for saving not to become just an unpleasant obligation. Teachers were able to select electronic lessons (in Lithuanian), presented in the platform ‘Why do we need that?!’, and, together with children, to watch short educational video reports on the above-named subjects. The discussion ‘Children and Money: Dispelling Myths!’ was also organised, its recording is available here (in Lithuanian).

The securities exchange NASDAQ OMX Vilnius, Central Securities Depositary of Lithuania and NASDAQ technology and business support competence centre invited schoolchildren to open door days. Here they found out what a securities exchange and depository are, got acquainted with their main principles of activity and had an opportunity to follow on the screen real time trading in stocks.  

Members of the Association of Lithuanian Banks, marking together with the Global Money Week also Europe’s Money Week, invited schoolchildren to lessons specifically led to them at different schools in the country, organised discussions and games. Representatives of banks advised on how to manage personal finances responsibly and prepare for independent living.

Specialists of UAB Aviva Lietuva, a representative of the association of life assurance undertakings, at the meetings with schoolchildren in senior classes urged them to take an interest in personal finances, taught them to save for the future, while UAB SEB gyvyb?s draudimas invited children aged 6–7, together with their parents, to take part in interactive discussions — when playing games, to talk about the significance of financial literacy, methods of saving and, most importantly, the children’s future aspirations.

Vilnius region credit union, which joined the Global Money Week this year, invited children to take part in the competition ‘My piggy bank.’ Kaunas Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts Financiers Club, the club Pinig? srautas shared knowledge with schoolchildren, while in meetings with bailiffs, schoolchildren learnt how not to get into debt and be in control.

This year again the professional volunteering project ‘Why do we need that?!’ helped experts and schoolchildren interact, bringing together professionals and teachers from various fields, who seek that young people find their career direction.

Participants and partners of the Global Money Week:The Bank of Lithuania, professional volunteering project ‘Why do we need that?!’, Vilnius University Faculty of Humanities in Kaunas, College of Social Sciences, ?iauliai State College, State Social Security Fund Board (SoDra), Ministry of Education and Science, Association of Lithuanian Banks and its members (SEB bankas, Swedbank, Danske Bank, ?iauli? bankas, DNB bankas, Central Credit Union of Lithuania), AB NASDAQ Vilnius, Central Securities Depositary of Lithuania and NASDAQ technology and business support competence centre; UAB Aviva Lietuva, UAB SEB gyvyb?s draudimas, Vilnius region credit union, Kaunas Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts Financiers Club, the club Pinig? srautas, Association of Lithuanian Schoolchildren, Association of the Lithuanian Chamber of Bailiffs, asset management group Invalda INVL, authorised representative of UPS in Lithuania Skubios siuntos, Lithuanian Children’s Foundation, V?? Lietuvos Junior Achievement, UAB Rempaka, UAB Adeo Web.

The Global Money Week in Lithuania is commemorated due to the Bank of Lithuania joining the organisation Child and Youth Finance International. The Organisation propagates the ideas of increasing youth financial literacy and seeks that children, after graduating from secondary school, are capable of managing their finances and know how to treat money wisely. This movement currently unites over 1,000 organisations in different countries.