The current financial crisis has sharpened the focus on the need for better financial education across all segments of the population Just as information and guidance on healthy eating and exercise can prevent a lifetime of obesity, effective financial education, when started at an early age, can prevent chronic financial health problems later in life

Continuing social, economic and political change over the last five years has meant that the need for financial capability in young people is even more pressing In many western counties issues surrounding increasing levels of personal debt, crashing markets and their effect on pensions mean that there is a greater need for individuals to take a more active and informed interest in their own financial future