Financial education as a new public good
The first edition of the General Assembly on Financial Education was held at the MEF
The General Assembly on Financial Education 2026-2029, promoted by the Committee for the Planning and Coordination of Financial Education Activities (Edufin Committee) and dedicated to the theme “Financial education as a new public good”, was held on 29 September in the Ciampi Hall of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
The General Assembly on Financial Education is an opportunity to discuss and highlight the most significant experiences in the field of financial education.
The event is dedicated to stakeholders who have distinguished themselves through the quality and value of the initiatives they have carried out, as recognised by the Edufin Committee, and provides a forum for dialogue, sharing and the exchange of experiences. The initiative aims to promote good practices and noteworthy projects, reinforcing the Committee’s recognition of the contribution of the various parties involved in promoting financial literacy and encouraging the sharing of experiences that can generate value for citizens.
The proceedings were opened by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Giancarlo Giorgetti. In the Report on the State of Financial Education in Italy, Donato Masciandaro, recently confirmed for a second term as Chair of the Committee, stated: “Financial education is too important an asset to be confused with sales, promotional or, worse still, fraudulent activities. There is a risk of a phenomenon that we can call ‘Edufin washing’. For this reason, the Committee will continue to strengthen its assessment and certification tools, so that citizens can clearly distinguish initiatives that are genuinely aimed at developing skills from those that pursue other objectives. Providing financial education means informing, not selling; educating, not promoting; raising people’s awareness, not steering their commercial choices. Quality, integrity and the absence of conflicts of interest remain essential conditions for building a credible offering that truly serves the public.”
Stefano Cappiello, Director General of the Financial System Regulation and Supervision Department – Ministry of Economy and Finance, moderated the proceedings. During the day, the following speakers took the floor: Mauro Nori, Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies; Gianfrancesco Romeo, Director General for the Market, Competition, Consumer Protection and Technical Regulations at the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy; Giovanna Paladino, Director of the Museo del Risparmio (Savings Museum), Turin; Magda Bianco, Head of the Customer Protection and Financial Education Department at the Bank of Italy; and Carmine Di Noia, Director for Financial and Enterprise Affairs at the OECD.
This event forms part of an ongoing process to consolidate the Committee’s work and serves as a lead-up to Financial Education Month, which will mark its ninth edition in November.
The Committee for the Planning and Coordination of Financial Education Activities is responsible for planning and promoting financial awareness and education initiatives aimed at measurably improving skills in the areas of savings, investments, pensions and insurance. The Committee, established within the Department of the Treasury and chaired by Professor Donato Masciandaro, comprises the following members: Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Education and Merit, Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, Bank of Italy, CONSOB, COVIP, IVASS, OCF, Guardia di finanza, and the National Council of Consumers and Users.