Zambia Commits To Placing Child And Youth Finance At The Center Stage Of Its Development Agenda

Governor of Bank of Zambia during the Child and Youth Finance International Regional Meeting for Africa: Zambia commits to placing Child and Youth Finance at the center stage of its development agenda

LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA - As the first day of the Second Child and Youth Finance International (CYFI) Regional Meeting for Africa ended on Thursday, September 19, the importance of, and commitment to, Child and Youth Finance issues were recognized by the Governor of Bank of Zambia, the Zambian Minister of Finance as well as the participating youth representatives.

During the day national platforms and action plans for undertaking Child and Youth Finance activities at a country level were established and youth participants were able to express their views on economic citizenship education and financial issues.

The Second CYFI Regional Meeting for Africa was opened Thursday, September 19, with welcoming speeches by Ms. Jeroo Billimoria, Managing Director of CYFI, Dr. Michael Gondwe, Governor of Bank of Zambia and Hon. Alexander Chikwanda, the Zambian Minister of Finance. During the welcome speech Dr. Michael Gondwe stated that Zambia commits to placing Child and Youth Finance at the center stage of its development agenda, as Zambia is a country where half of the population is under the age of 15. Therefore we are also hosting this Regional Meeting, he stated. Mr. Alexander Chikwanda, further stressed the importance of a Child and Youth Finance focus for Zambia and the region by saying:

Youth are our most important resource. They are the leaders of today and they are our future. Therefore Child and Youth Finance education is essential for every Zambian youth. - Mr. Alexander Chikwanda, Minister of Finance, Zambia

During the ´Access Africa´ session, led by Mr. Chibamba Kanyama, Director General of the Zambian National Broadcasting Corporation, ways on how regional bodies and governments can take the lead on Economic Citizenship Education and Financial Inclusion for children and youth were explored.

Mr. Reinier van der Lely, consultant at McKinsey & Company and Mr. Daniele Scauso, Regional Platforms Manager at CYFI launched the newly-developed Child and Youth Finance National Implementation plan. The Child and Youth Finance National Implementation plan provides a framework to implement a national platform and action plans for undertaking Child and Youth Finance activities at country level.

An important aspect during the whole meeting was the youth representatives that were taking part during the sessions, giving their own thoughts on Child and Youth Finance to the leaders and policymakers at the meeting. One of the youth representatives voiced his opinion on the importance of financial education and inclusion:

If we do not learn about money and what choices to make, then we cannot manage our future - Youth Participant

The day ended with workshops that engaged the participants of the meeting to share their thoughts and practices on the topics of ´Establishing the National Platform and Roadmap for Implementation´, ´Developing Children and Youth Friendly Banking Products and Services´, as well as ´Monitoring and Evaluating Design for Children and Youth Finance Initiatives´. During the workshops participants were able to share innovation and thought leadership from across various sectors and countries, as well as establish new collaborations.

As the first day of the meeting was concluded and the participants headed out for a sightseeing of the nearby Victoria Falls, the preparations for the second and last day were made. The last day, September 20, will focus on the celebration of Global Money Week, workshops and a session dedicated for youth participants to voice their opinions on Economic Citizenship and Financial Issue to the leaders and policymakers. The meeting will be completed by a closing ceremony.

About the Child and Youth Finance International Regional Meeting for Africa

The Second Child and Youth Finance Regional Meeting for Africa brings together some of Africa's finest leaders of government institutions, international and regional bodies, academia and research, the IT sector, civil society, and non-governmental organizations to show their support for financial inclusion and economic citizenship education, and help the Child and Youth Finance movement's progress.

The meeting has 150 participants from 14 countries that are expected to address cutting-edge and high-impact financial inclusion and economic citizenship education strategies and initiatives as well as to get insights from young people from across the region, under the theme of the meeting: 'Reshaping the Future of Finance'.

The meeting is co-organized by Child and Youth Finance International (CYFI) and the Bank of Zambia under the auspices of the governor Dr. Michael Gondwe, in collaboration with Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Pensions and Insurance Authority (PIA) and CareersExpo Zambia.

From Left To Right:Mr. Reinier Van Der Lely, Consultant At Mckinsey & Company; Mr. Alexander Chikwanda, Minister Of Finance, Zambia; Ms. Jeroo Billimoria, Managing Director Of Child And Youth Finance International; Dr. Michael Gondwe, Governor Of Bank Of Zambia

About the Child and Youth Finance Movement

Child and Youth Finance International (CYFI) is a non-profit organization that launched its global movement in April 2012. The target of the Movement is to reach 100 million children in 100 countries by 2015 with economic citizenship education as well as safe and child and youth friendly financial services.

CYFI focuses on increasing financial inclusion and economic citizenship education for children and youth, so that every child can graduate from primary school with financial awareness and access to a savings account which they can operate responsibly. Together with over 1000 partners and stakeholders the ultimate goal of the Movement is to reduce financial vulnerability, increase financial responsibility and ultimately break the cycle of poverty.
More information about CYFI is available via www.childfinanceinternational.org

Media contact information

For more information contact:
Robin Willing
Director of Communications
Child & Youth Finance International
+ 31 20 520 3900
[email protected]

You can also visit the CYFI social media channels and the dedicated CYFI Africa Regional Meeting website for the latest updates and information.

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/childfinance
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/childfinance
Africa CYFI website http://africa.childfinanceinternational.org

The social media hashtag for the meeting is #CYFIZambia