Financial Education: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

This paper aims at contributing to the debate on financial education within the framework of sustainable development, provided that financial literacy and competence are key to fight financial exclusion. Despite some criticism, the need for a more inclusive financial system is widely felt and supporting arguments stem from the “2030 Agenda†adopted by the United Nations in 2015. Therefore, the starting point can be identified with the analysis of most relevant Sustainable Development Goals; the next step revolves around the market segments that must be focused on, in sight of promoting financial education, and that include the unbanked and underbanked. The subsequent search for appropriate strategies acts as a stimulus to emphasize the role of artificial intelligence and to disseminate best practices. Main findings lead to highlight challenges and opportunities to be met and taken to the benefit not only of the target market, but of society at large.