Gent Sejko: Global Money Week 2021 in Albania Address by Mr Gent Sejko, Governor of the Bank of Albania, at the opening ceremony of the Global Money Week 2021 in Albania, Tirana, 23 March 2021. * * * Honourable Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Honourable Chairman of the Albanian Association of Banks, Dear students, teachers, friends and colleagues, I am pleased to welcome you in the opening ceremony of Global Money Week 2021. For more than one decade, the Bank of Albania has been engaged in this world-wide movement, in organising during the last week of March, educational and awareness activities dedicated to children, young people and students. Global Money Week, already turned into a tradition, is organized in collaboration with the Albanian Association of Banks, and with the valuable support of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. Due to difficulties arisen by Covid-19 pandemic, the Global Money Week, this year won’t be launched at the premises of the Museum of the Bank of Albania, but virtually, in compliance with the health safety and social distancing measures and regulations. I have already emphasised in my previous comments to this event, that GMW is an world-wide initiative organised by the OECD International Network on Financial Education (OECD/INFE), aimed at raising awareness of the younger generation to become in turn financially responsible citizens in the future. Every year, in March, central banks, public agencies and financial institutions and civil society organisations from around the world organise GMW activities.
In this view, the Bank of Albania, as the supervisory and promoter institution of the Albanian banking system, in addition to the immediate response to the difficulties created by COVID-19, through a complete package of monetary, supervisory, macro-prudential and operational measures, finds also important the drafting and organisation of educational initiatives, like Global Money Week. Through these educational and awareness-raising activities, we aim at approaching the young generation to the complicated world of finance and banking; to introduce and pass through knowledge on possibilities; the risks that both financial and banking products have; as well as introduce the young public to the necessary information on borrowing and savings. This communication and awareness of young people, in turn help both financial and banking markets become more resilient, comprehensive and efficient. 1/2  BIS central bankers' speeches  The Bank of Albania, has not limited its educational activities only with the Global Money Week. Financial literacy of public is an important part of our daily work. Thus, through virtual educational tools available at our webpage, students and teachers may learn throughout the year on financial issues, by watching videos and reading the literature dedicated to both the pre-university education and students. Our webpage contains simplified information on themes of everyday life, as: the opening of a bank account; personal budget management, drafting a saving plan; applying for a bank credit, etc.