International Olympiad on Financial Security begins in Krasnoyarsk

About 600 schoolchildren and students from 40 countries, including CIS, BRICS, and SCO states, have arrived in Krasnoyarsk, reports sibnovosti.ru, a partner of TV BRICS.

The opening ceremony began with a panel discussion on international cooperation in the field of financial security. Thus began the intensive five-day programme of the Olympiad. Its main objectives are to improve young people’s information, financial, and legal literacy.

Students from Bolivia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Uruguay, representing Latin America, are taking part in the final stage of the Olympiad. Among the finalists are also students from Middle Eastern countries - the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Jordan - as well as African states: Algeria, Egypt, Mauritania, Namibia, and Ethiopia.

The participants were welcomed by the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. In his speech, he described the project as authoritative and aimed at the success of the younger generation.

"It is gratifying that the Olympiad has become part of the systemic, multi-faceted work of the state and society to improve the accessibility of modern knowledge and to unlock the creative potential and talents of the younger generation. [...] Every year it [the project] expands its geography and representation, serving as one of the key events of the large-scale International Movement on Financial Security," Vladimir Putin said.

The participants will not only face competition challenges but also attend masterclasses, round tables and lectures by leading experts. The cultural programme includes tours of the Siberian Federal University campus, a festival of Russian folk games and a phygital chess tournament.

Foreign guests highly praised the level of organisation of the event. A representative of the delegation from Kazakhstan, Islam Abdulahadov, shared his expectations of the Olympiad.

“This is my first experience, but everything here is at a high level. [...] It is clear that Russia has prepared well. [...] I am confident in my abilities; I think I will take a prize place to represent my country with dignity,” he said.

For many, the most vivid impression was the weather. Participants from China humorously described the Siberian autumn.

“When we arrived, it was almost summer weather; yesterday autumn came, and today it is real winter. But despite this, we feel very warm at heart,” they added.

The Olympiad will last until 3 October, when the closing ceremony and the awarding of the winners will take place.

The International Olympiad on Financial Security has been held since 2021 and is part of the systemic work to improve the financial and legal literacy of young people. Its main objectives are to counter modern challenges and threats in the digital environment. The event is one of the key activities of the International Movement on Financial Security.