Brussels, 15/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 14 May 2008, European finance ministers adopted a conclusions document on the European Commission's communication on financial education (see EUROPE 9267). Raising public awareness about financial issues is particularly important, in the ministers' view, because consumers will be encouraged in the future to take personal responsibility for their healthcare, pension and housing needs. Detailed understanding of financial services will also enable consumers to understand the growing integration of markets, which is leading to a mushrooming of complex products.
The ECOFIN Council wants to see the introduction of an EU network of financial education trainers. The European Commission has published a call for applications (deadline 13 June 2008) for the recruitment of 25 experts from national civil services, consumer associations, industry and academia. The ministers say they want an online database of national financial education programmes and academic research. (M.B.)