From Knowledge to Action: Elevating Financial Literacy Among Thailand's Youth for Sustainable Development

Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Chiraphat Wei, a passionate individual dedicated to making a positive impact through my various accomplishments and leadership roles. From earning accolades in prestigious international competitions such as the Chinese Diamond Crown Competition and the Seong Nam Open Children Taekwondo Championships to showcasing my creative flair with the Best Creativity Award in the Reactor X ICS Business Pitching Competition, I've always strived to push the boundaries of what's possible. Beyond personal achievements, my heart lies in service to others. As President of New Faith, a school charity club, I've led initiatives aimed at making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. My active involvement in community programs, where I've dedicated over 100 hours of service, underscores my commitment to giving back. Whether leading in The Economist program, securing medals in various sports and martial arts competitions, or championing causes close to my heart, I aim to embody resilience, compassion, and leadership in all that I do, inspiring others to join me in creating a brighter future for all.

In Thailand, many young people from poor backgrounds don't learn much about handling money. This makes it hard for them to save or plan for the future, keeping them in a cycle of not having enough. We want to help solve this by teaching them about money, saving, and spending wisely. Our goal is to give these young people the knowledge they need to make better choices and improve their lives and their communities.

Global Context: The S&P Global FinLit Survey highlights a widespread lack of financial literacy. UNESCO reports that approximately 263 million children and youth are out of school, a figure that underscores the educational crisis affecting young people globally. The World Bank points out that financial illiteracy leads to economic vulnerability, with individuals less likely to engage with banking services or invest in the future. According to OECD findings, Thai students perform below average in critical areas such as reading, mathematics, and science. This extends to financial literacy, where there's a notable absence of a focused curriculum.

This is why I founded Brighten Youth. Bright Youth's vision is clear: to empower underprivileged communities worldwide through increased access to education, focusing on critical financial and economic knowledge. Their innovative "SEEDS" framework lays the foundation for this journey. We aim to solve the problem of low financial knowledge among Thailand's underprivileged youth, stuck in a cycle of poor money management, by teaching them about the financial economy. To empower underprivileged communities worldwide by providing increased access to education, focusing on equipping them with critical financial and economic knowledge for a more secure future.

Brighten Youth provides Educational Workshops, conducting workshops in underprivileged schools around Thailand's rural areas using our own developed and effective activities to teach underprivileged kids. The aim is to increase 60% in financial literacy knowledge and have fun at the same time. We also established a Tutoring Program, pairing students with outstanding scoring students as mentors for seeking assistance in challenging subjects(IGCSE and school work). This program must be paid for, and the funding will be used for donations to underprivileged schools. Collaborating with Schools, we collaborate with local schools to conduct fundraising activities to raise funds and encourage students to become volunteers to be a part of making changes in Thailand's underprivileged community.

Since its inception, Bright Youth has been on a relentless pursuit to bridge the financial literacy gap. From conducting educational workshops and tutoring programs to collaborating with local schools and launching impactful awareness campaigns, our journey unfolds in phases:

Bright Youth's efforts resonate deeply with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By enhancing access to financial literacy, we directly contribute to SDG 4: Quality Education. Moreover, our initiative addresses SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by providing underprivileged communities with the tools to improve their economic situations and reduce disparities. Addressing the financial literacy gap among Thailand's underprivileged youth is not just vital for their personal growth but is essential for the nation's economic well-being. Through targeted interventions like workshops, mentoring, and community engagement, we are set to ignite a passion for financial learning among the youth. This collective endeavor is poised to uplift individual futures and mitigate economic disparities, steering society toward inclusivity and prosperity. "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education." – Martin Luther King Jr.