Speeches and White House Blog on Global Financial Literacy Summit

Wrapping up more on the incredibly successful Operations HOPE Global Financial Literacy Summit, several presenters are featured on the summit’s home page, including Sharon Lechter. On the site you can view a gallery of photos, videos and more from the summit. In addition, you’ll find the speeches of several featured presenters online. Here’s a clip from Sharon’s inspirational speech:

I believe that EVERY American child should receive financial literacy education throughout their K-12 education as well as in post-secondary. The students are there — today. The Money Math curriculum is done and available on-line  — today. The teachers are there — today. The cost to implement is minimal. So what is the problem? The program today is voluntary – not mandatory.  It takes a license to drive a car today. It should be a requirement for individuals to understand the basics of how to drive crucial financial and economic decisions in their life, in a democracy rooted in capitalism and free enterprise choices. We need to make it mandatory and give our young people the gift of financial literacy.

In addition, the summit received glowing praise on the White House Blog. The summit was described as a, “truly historic event where national and international leaders came together to ensure that communities receive the education and resources needed to promote greater understanding of their financial decisions and the potential impacts of those decisions.” More individuals and organizations from all branches of society and government are taking notice of the need for financial education. Events such as the Global Financial Literacy Summit propel the ideals further every day.