Child & Youth Finance in the Post-2015 Development Agenda Presented by Mr. Michael Sherraden at the United Nations 23 May 2014, during "A Chance for Change" co-hosted by Child & Youth Finance International and UNCDF.

1. Child and Youth Finance
in Post-2015 Development Agenda
Michael Sherraden
Child and Youth Finance International
United Nations, New York
May 23, 2014

2. Global Context
• Rising inequality in incomes and
wealth
• Increased financialization

3. Challenge
Achieve greater financial capability and
asset building for the entire population,
starting very early in life.
. . . Important for households, and for the
larger economy and society.

4. Financial Capability
Financial Capability =
Financial Literacy + Financial Inclusion

5. Financial Action:
More Than Human Behavior
Humans (most of us) are not very good at
financial matters.
Most financial action should be structured,
like delivery of clean water through plumbing
(e.g., finance in schools, automatic
enrollment).
A long way to go on this. . . Should be the

6. Financial Education and Holding
Assets: Efficient and Productive Finance
• Access to range of financial products and
services (manage money).
• Access to more efficient finance and
transactions (save money).
• Potential for investment returns (make
money).

7. Why Assets Matter:
Development Outcomes
• Outlooks and attitudes are more positive
(e.g., parental expectations for children,
mental health of parents).
• Child development is improved (e.g.,
social-emotional development of
children).

8. Why Assets Matter:
Development Outcomes (cont).
• Behaviors and practices of children and
youth are more positive (e.g., school
attendance, health behaviors, social
behavior).
• Well-being of children and youth is
enhanced (e.g., education and health).

9. Why Assets Matter:
Development Outcomes (cont).
Increased education and health are “human
capital”.
Over time, very likely that child and youth
finance improves the macro economy and
society.

10. Why Assets Matter:
Development Outcomes (cont).
Increased education and health are “human
capital”.
Over time, very likely that child and youth
finance improves the macro economy and
society.