As parents struggle to balance their checkbooks and politicians argue about solutions to the current economic reality‚ AED is turning to the next generation of consumers to help advocate for smart financial decisions.

$aving Our Futures: A Financial Responsibility Program for Young People‚ developed by AED‚ teaches youth in the middle grades and high school the fundamentals of macro– and microeconomics and encourages them to become fiscal activists. The curriculum‚ which is a companion piece to the film “I.O.U.S.A.‚” also suggests ways students can reach out to their families and local and national policymakers to promote fiscal responsibility.

“We are at a critical crossroads in our country’s economic history‚” said Patrick Montesano‚ vice president and director of the AED Center for School and Community Services. “There is no better time for young people to learn about financial responsibility—and take action to improve the health of the nation’s economy, their community’s budget‚ or their own pocketbooks.”

America’s Promise Alliance, a child–advocacy network that partnered with AED on the project‚ posted the online curriculum on its Web site in March 2009. It was downloaded 2‚000 times in the first month. Most activities will begin in the fall.

Related Resources

Five Ways to promote the $aving Our Futures Curriculum

$aving Our Futures Overview

Critical Issues

Where We Work

Regions around
the World

United States

Latin America & the Caribbean

Sub–Saharan Africa

Middle East & North Africa

Asia & the Pacific

Europe & Eurasia

 

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