Ziyan's Path: Championing Cultural Unity and Financial Literacy Worldwide

Hi! My name is Ziyan and I am a student in the United States. I would describe myself as a curious and amiable person with a passion for culture and business. I am an educator, dancer, and researcher. I’ve performed with renowned companies such as San Francisco Ballet and Presidio Dance Theatre in front of audiences of over 3,000 people and even toured internationally. I am currently an intern with the 1990 Institute where I write profiles on under-recognized Asian Americans (come check it out @NewAsianAmericanVoices), as well as help oversee the production of educational programming aimed at teachers and students nationwide. 

Over the summer of 2023, I led a research project aimed at understanding private funding in Hong Kong’s arts and cultural sectors because of my interests in those areas. I wrote and published a paper detailing what I learned through interviews and museum visits and highlighted what these cultural and artistic organizations could do to better their source of private funding. 

Since I was little, I have been a very observant person so, of course, I noticed when the price of my favorite boba or little snack shop increased. I asked my dad why this was happening and he explained the concept of supply and demand and what inflation was. You could describe this moment as the start of my organization. Currently, I am taking AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics and during these courses, I felt that the information I was learning shouldn’t be limited to only those who took the course, but to all students. Throughout my life I’ve heard parents, cousins, and fellow students remark about how under-educated our school system left us regarding finance – whether it comes to making sound financial decisions or even understanding what it is. All these things combined led me down the path of creating FSCAL or Financial Skills and Concepts for Aspiring Learners.

The problem is that worldwide, only roughly one-third of adults understand basic financial concepts. Students as a whole are under-educated on financial concepts, leading them to enter adulthood unaware of the economic landscape and financial choices they will face. This is why I have developed FSCAL’s mission to “Educate students on financial concepts to foster understanding in today’s age.”

Look at this chart above, much of the world is barely passing by when it comes to financial literacy, and even many of the countries that pride themselves on their financial systems fall short of a truly financially literate society. Take the U.S. for example, we are barely breaking 50% – nearly 50% of adults, not even including youth or older folks, understand financial concepts. Now look at the chart on the bottom, nearly 9 in 10 U.S. adults said high school did not leave them fully prepared for handling money. What do all the countries that are dark blue have in common? They have programs in place to offer financial education in schools.

As the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs says, “Access to financial and social assets is a key contributing factor to help youth make their own economic decisions and escape poverty. Providing young people with financial services—whether a safe place to save or an appropriately structured loan for investment in an enterprise or education can promote entrepreneurship and asset building, and emphasize sustainable livelihoods. The financial component is especially effective for youth when complemented with training in entrepreneurship and financial literacy, and mentorship opportunities.”

Take a look below for our core values and the framework for FSCAL. We have this acronym INVEST – investing in the future. Inspire, nurture, value, educate, support, and transform. 

Since the inception of our project, we've made significant strides toward achieving our mission. We launched our website, which now regularly publishes articles and information on financial literacy. We've also established partnerships with local and global organizations that share our cause, and our team continues to grow, bringing in diverse talents and perspectives.

Our roadmap includes:

Phase 1: Focus on digital content development and partnership building.

Phase 2: Expansion through the establishment of chapters at universities, aimed at extending our reach and developing innovative programs.

Phase 3: Achieving certification and strengthening strategic partnerships to empower a financially literate community ready to thrive in today’s society.

Our Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Our initiatives directly support key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to enhance societal well-being:

SDG 4: Quality Education - We're dedicated to making financial literacy a core part of education, providing resources and training to empower students.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth - Through industry collaboration and support for entrepreneurship, we aim to foster economic growth and decent employment opportunities.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities - Our efforts in inclusive education and advocacy work towards reducing inequalities, ensuring equal opportunities for all.

By aligning with these SDGs, we're not just educating; we're building a foundation for a sustainable and equitable future for everyone.

In closing, I'm reminded of the words of Nelson Mandela, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." It is with this belief that I forge ahead, dedicated to making a difference through education and cultural understanding.