E fundit!

12:36 POLITICS

Children in protest/ Noka: The government's corrupt decisions will weigh heavily on their shoulders

The Secretary General of the Democratic Party, Flamur Noka...

Global Money Week/Sejko: Financial education important in the digital age

2026-03-17 14:53:00, Aktualitet CNA

On March 17, 2026, at the premises of the Bank of Albania, Global Money Week 2026 was opened, an international initiative that aims to increase financial literacy among children and young people, helping them better understand how finances and the economy work in everyday life.

Global Money Week (March 16-22, 2026) is organized annually in many countries around the world and brings together public institutions, the financial sector, the education system and various partners in a joint effort to increase financial literacy in society, with a special focus on the younger generation.

The year 2026 has a special significance for Albania, as it marks the 100th anniversary of the issuance of the first Albanian national currency. This anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the history of the Albanian currency and the role it has played in the economic and institutional development of the country.

This year's theme is "Smart Talk about Money! - 100 Years of National Currency!", linking reflection on the history of the national currency with the need to develop a healthier financial culture among young people.

The key event of Money Week 2026 was welcomed by Mr. Gent Sejko, Governor of the Bank of Albania.

In his speech, Governor Sejko stated that, at a time when technology is rapidly changing the way we manage money, financial education becomes an increasingly important element.

In this context, a series of educational activities will be organized during this week, including open lectures, competitions, interactive initiatives and informational meetings for pupils and students. These activities aim to stimulate discussion on money management, financial decision-making and the importance of financial education, at a time when technology and digital services are transforming the way we use and manage money.

Governor Sejko stated that the Bank of Albania, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, the Albanian Association of Banks, the Deposit Insurance Agency, the World Bank, Junior Achievement of Albania, commercial banks and other institutional partners, has over the years organized educational and awareness-raising activities for the age groups of pre-university and university students.

The governor added that, through this initiative, the organizers aim to especially encourage young people to become informed and build skills to make smart financial decisions, which directly affect their future well-being.

Governor Sejko's full speech

It is a special pleasure for me to open today the activities of Global Money Week 2026, an initiative that takes place every year in many countries around the world and aims to bring the younger generations closer to the basic knowledge of finance and economics.

This week has already become an important moment to unite public institutions, the financial sector, the education system, and national and international partners, in a joint effort: increasing financial literacy in society and in particular among the younger generation.

For Albania, the year 2026 has a special significance, as it marks the 100th anniversary of the issuance of the first Albanian national currency.

This anniversary gives us the opportunity to return attention to the history of the Albanian Lek and the role that the national currency has played in the country's economic and institutional development.

Global Money Week is coordinated worldwide by OECD-INFE and aims to help children and young people better understand how finances work in everyday life. This year's international theme, "Smart Money Talks", highlights the importance of open and informed communication about financial matters.

In this spirit, the slogan we have chosen for the activities in Albania is “Talking Smart About Money – 100 Years of National Currency”. It aims to connect reflection on the history of our national currency with the need to develop a healthier financial culture, to avoid mistakes or fraud, empowering young people to take control of their financial well-being.

Dear young people,

The history of the national currency is closely linked to the history of the development of the state and its economic institutions. The issuance of the Albanian Franc and Lek in 1926 represented an important step in the consolidation of the country's monetary sovereignty and in the construction of a modern financial system. For a century, the Albanian Lek has been more than a payment instrument. It has represented an important element of the country's economic sovereignty and a reference point of monetary stability. Throughout different historical periods, our national currency has reflected the development of Albanian financial institutions and the efforts to build a modern and sustainable economy. The trust that citizens and businesses have in the national currency is one of the pillars on which the functioning of the economy and the role of the central bank in maintaining financial stability are based.

The Albanian monetary and financial system has undergone many transformations. From an economy dominated by the use of physical money, we have gradually moved towards an increasingly advanced financial infrastructure, where electronic payments and digital services are taking on an increasingly important role. In this context of transformation, the role of money is evolving along with the development of technology and financial markets.

In this process, the Bank of Albania has played an important role in maintaining monetary stability, in modernizing payment systems and in creating conditions for the functioning of a stable and reliable financial system.

Today, at a time when technology is rapidly changing the way we manage money, financial education becomes an increasingly important element.

In this context, the activities of Global Money Week 2026 aim to create spaces for learning, discussion and reflection on these topics. Through open lectures, competitions, educational activities and interactive meetings, pupils and students will have the opportunity to become better acquainted with the world of finance and the importance of careful decision-making.

This year, our educational activities are also related to the important anniversary of the national currency, which is best presented in the exhibition "Money Tells Stories: 100 Years of Life and Events, Bank of Albania (1925–2025)", where the public can learn about the history of money and central banking in our country.

Dear friends,

The organization of Global Money Week is the result of the cooperation of many institutions and partners. I would like to express my gratitude to the Ministry of Education, the Albanian Banking Association, the Deposit Insurance Agency, the World Bank, Junior Achievement of Albania, commercial banks, and all those who contribute to the realization of this important initiative in support of education and financial inclusion in the country.

In conclusion, I would like to encourage you, especially young people, to use this week to learn more about how money works and how you can manage it wisely. The financial decisions you make today can affect your well-being tomorrow./ CNA