FWD’s financial literacy programme expands to 7 markets to boost financial literacy in Asia

FWD Group has partnered with Junior Achievement Asia Pacific to expand its financial literacy programme, JASparktheDream, to span seven markets in Asia as part of its initiative to help boost financial literacy in the region. The programme integrates financial, social and life skills education, aiming to benefit around 25,000 students across Asia by 2024. 

The programme was piloted in Hong Kong and Singapore last year, and was then introduced in Indonesia and Vietnam earlier this year, with Japan, the Philippines, and Thailand to follow soon.

The programme is also seen as FWD Group's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy, which includes increasing financial literacy and educating the next generation for a better future. The multi-year initiative, led by FWD colleagues, brings together volunteers and students in local schools. More than 100 FWD volunteers taught 2,500 students in Hong Kong and Singapore between 2022 and 2023. Throughout the programme, students learned about budgeting, making sound financial decisions, and creatively meeting the needs of their communities through fun games and interactive quizzes that used both in-class and digital platforms.

Furthermore, students also had the chance to participate in a social innovation showcase, where they work with FWD volunteers, parents, teachers, and each other to identify and address a local issue, ranging from assisting low-income families to job matching.

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Commenting on the programme, Huynh Thanh Phong, group chief executive officer and executive director of FWD Group, said, “At FWD, we are here to help people celebrate living, so we’re excited about supporting the next generation with financial education that’s also fun. Through JA SparktheDream, we’re teaching foundational life skills – such as the difference between saving, spending and earning – in an engaging way. Caring for our communities has always been a part of who we are, and we’re pleased to scale up this programme in our 10th anniversary year.”

Maziar Sabet, president and chief executive officer of JA Asia Pacific described the programme as a “unique opportunity to educate, equip and empower youth in the region” and stressed the important correlation of being financially capable and becoming contributors of society. “There’s a real sense of empowerment that we’re seeing, especially among the younger students, as they become inspired to be their own agents of change. We’re grateful for FWD’s support to extend this programme to even more young people in Asia,” he added.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to FWD Group for more information. 

FWD has always been committed to empower people from all walks of life. Earlier this year, FWD  has collaborated with LoveXpress, a local charity organisation, to launch a scented candle workshop for autistic children and their parents in December last year.The workshop is a continuation of FWD's campaign namely #LiveBoundless, aiming to encourage people to enjoy the special moments in life through pleasant scents, while the relaxing nature of each candle symbolises the comprehensive protection that FWD is committed to providing for the community. 

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