More information
Description
A widespread problem observable internationally and especially in countries with complex market structures is economic illiteracy. Anyone who does not have the basic and necessary knowledge in order to make prudent decisions on issues of borrowing, savings, retirement plans, investment, personal budgeting, etc. is considered to be economically illiterate. In Greece, according to research by S&P Global, the phenomenon of economic illiteracy is observed in 55% of the adult population. The purpose of our project is to bridge the gap between citizens and economic policy makers by familiarizing the beneficiaries with key economic concepts and principles. Substantial understanding of economic issues requires the development of an active communication channel between the two parties, in which the agenda is largely determined by the beneficiaries based on their own needs and questions. Through the development of an online platform in which important topics of discussion will be posted on a monthly basis (eg public debt), beneficiaries will have the opportunity to ask questions to experts in the field (economists, university professors). The most popular questions will be part of a video interview with a specialist in the given topic at the time, by members of “The E Square Project” team and educational videos will be produced and posted online. Each video will be enriched with infographics related to the topic. With the premiere of each new video, a new round of questions with another topic will begin. The main beneficiaries are citizens from 18 to 35 years old, and the goal is to reach 240 views for the videos.
Summary of project results
The project entitled "Ask an Economist" was an education and awareness-raising action on finance, aiming at promoting financial literacy. The project contributed to the core of the problem of civic participation. One of the basic prerequisites for being able to participate and make rational decisions on issues concerning the common good is to be properly informed. At the activities/events that were organized, at the epicentre was the the public that was present and could pose their own questions. Academics answered people''s concerns and resolved generalized ambiguities that may exist in public opinion. This was very important because the experts put the problems on their realistic basis and give the public the right parameters which will lead to realistic policy proposals and decision-making. In this way, citizens can better assess not only the day-to-day economic developments but also the policy proposals that are put forward.
Four (4) meetings were organised with high profile experts from the Greekic academic community. The audience was free to ask questions on the structured topics of each discussion. With world renowned economist Phoebe Kountouri there was a discussion on climate change and how we can transform our economy to become sustainable. Also, with IOBE director Prof. Nikos Vetta there was a discussion on the public treasury and how the state manages money. In the third meeting the attention was driven into Greece''s position in the Eurozone both in the past, present and future with the help of Prof. Manos Matsanganis. Finally, the interconnections between war, inflation and pandemic were discussed with two guests, Economidis George and Blavouko Spyros, professors of the Athens University of Economics and Business. The first 3 debates were held online while the last one was organized live at the premises of the SERAFEIO of the Municipality of Athens. These events benefited a wide range of citizens with concerns about the economy. They were attended by young people (mainly academic students) as well as adult workers, members of other CSOs and older people. In total the action benefited 648 people either by attending the events or by watching the events as posted on YouTube.
The general population that participated in the four events and does not belong to a specific category benefited as we More specifically, pensioners were informed in the second event about the developments and the future of the insurance system, they learned how the state handles the funds and what is going to change. Consumers in general received information from all the events and more specifically at the 1st event they learned about the impact of individual choices on the environment and how they can become a lever for the transition to a sustainable economy. Also, in the 4th event they learned about inflation and its impact on the price path in Greece. Younger people again received general information from all events and in particular they learned about employment opportunities in a greener economy, how the labour market will be shaped in the future, future pension systems and what they should do now, about the past economic policies in the Eurozone. Finally, it was a pleasant surprise to have an environmental NGO executive participate in the event on the environment where they discussed with the guest and the main speaker about improving the conditions of water supply and exploitation of water resources in Greece.