Financial Institutions of the World Promote Economic Knowledge Among University Youth

Yesterday the inauguration ceremony of MEI 2022 took place, organized by Model of Economic Institutions, a non-profit association made up of university students. The event, which will be held in Madrid from November 14 to 18, aims to promote knowledge of economics and international financial institutions among the university community, fostering the creation of an informed, multidisciplinary society committed to the future.

MEI constitutes a debate conference through the simulation of six of the most important committees, forums, and development banks in the international economy, following the MUN (Model United Nations) procedure. University students address various economic, financial, and business issues through four pillars: humanitarian development, international finance, multilateral economic organizations, and trade and business.

More than 150 participants – Spanish, European, and international university students – join the conference to defend their respective delegations’ positions on current topics such as cryptocurrencies, tax havens, and measures to address inflation in the main international export products.

The inauguration of the event, which began yesterday with the collection of credentials and the opening ceremony, took place at the headquarters of CECA. It was attended by Álvaro López Barceló, Director of the Treasury and Financial Policy; Fernando Conlledo, General Secretary of CECA; Jaime Herrero, Deputy General Secretary of the Bank of Spain; María Abascal, General Director of AEB (Spanish Banking Association); and Pilar Barrios, partner at AFI Escuela; representing the organizations that collaborate with MEI.

The opening event, moderated by Carolina Tani, Press Director of MEI 2022, was opened by Álvaro López Barceló. The Director of the Treasury and Financial Policy introduced the event valuing the importance of “staying vigilant before the main challenges arising from the complicated geopolitical situation, as well as inflation in the eurozone.” Following him, Manuel Moreno, General Director of MEI, spoke, followed by Fernando Conlledo, General Secretary of CECA, who expressed: “Initiatives like MEI allow us to bring financial knowledge closer to young people. Education is key to the future of any society; it is important for young people to acquire formal knowledge that allows them to make appropriate decisions. For the CECA sector, financial education is a priority, a tool that improves people’s lives and achieves equality of opportunities.”

For her part, María Abascal, General Director of AEB (Spanish Banking Association), commented that “AEB has been committed for years to financial and digital education. Our Association and the banks make various training programs available to all citizens, such as ‘Your Finances, Your Future’ and Expertclick.”

Just after, Pilar Barrios intervened on behalf of Afi Escuela and added that “Afi Escuela has over 28 years of history providing training beyond economic-financial, also teaching in technology and sustainability as key areas. So, both due to Afi Escuela’s vocation and the relevance and importance of the subject, it is of utmost interest.”

Finally, Javier Flores, General Secretary of MEI, and Irene Barreiro, Academic Director, expressed their enthusiasm for the project.

After the opening, two MEI Forums were held – one in English and another in Spanish – organized in two round tables in which experts and professionals from the institutional financial world shared their knowledge with the young participants of MEI 2022. This year’s topics were: Is Infinite Economic Growth on a Finite Planet Possible? and Challenges of an Uncertain Future: inflation, public debt, and pensions. Impact on future generations.

The debate sessions will take place on the 15th, 16th, and 17th at AFI Escuela, and the closing ceremony will be held on the 18th at the Bank of Spain.

This is the second edition of the MEI event, which has grown to accommodate more students interested in exploring the various social, demographic, political, and cultural challenges of our time. Furthermore, this year they have added French as an official language along with Spanish and English.