The Economic Education Congress is the most important event dedicated to economic education in Poland. The 10th anniversary edition was held under the slogan: "Economic Education in a World of Uncertainty – Between Market, Technology, and Society.".
The conference took place on April 9th at the Central House of Technology in Warsaw, which served as a venue for debates and discussions on how to effectively disseminate economic knowledge, shape appropriate attitudes, and promote responsible financial management. The conference has been organized by the Warsaw Institute of Banking Foundation and the GPW Foundation since 2017. Nearly 600 participants representing the financial sector, academia, teachers, public administration, and organizations involved in economic education attended the event.
Opening of the Congress
The Congress was opened by Dr. Michał Polak, Vice President of the Warsaw Institute of Banking Foundation, and Alina Bączar, President of the GPW Foundation. The Congress's role as a forum for exchanging experiences and initiating systemic change, including the establishment of the National Center for Economic Education, was particularly emphasized.
The participants were also welcomed by Dr. Tadeusz Białek, President of the Polish Bank Association, and Mariusz Jaszczyk, Vice President of the Polish Development Fund. The audience listened to a recording of a speech by Prof. Adam Glapiński, President of the National Bank of Poland.
Kick-off debate – knowledge capital in an unstable world
One of the key points of the program was the inaugural debate, "Knowledge Capital in an Unstable World – Economic Education Facing Geopolitical Challenges." Professor Leszek Balcerowicz, Professor Marek Belka, and Jan Krzysztof Bielecki participated in the discussion. The discussion was moderated by Konrad Piasecki (TVN24). The speakers emphasized the importance of economic education as a tool for strengthening societal resilience. They also emphasized the need to adopt a long-term perspective and build education based on trusted and authoritative institutions.
Young generations and new finances
A key element of KEE 2026 was a debate dedicated to the young generation: "Generation Z and Alpha in Finance: Crypto, Micropayments, BNPL – Is It Time to Shift the Paradigms of Economic Education?" Paweł Kmieć (University of Lodz) and Aleksandra Kuleta (University of Warsaw) participated in the discussion. Moderated by Izabela Kozakiewicz-Franczak of the "Trampki na Giełdzie" Foundation, the discussion highlighted how new financial tools are impacting the way young generations manage their money and how approaches to economic education are changing.
Banking sector – security and education
Tomasz Pol, Vice President of the Management Board of PKO Bank Polski, and Robert Sochacki, Vice President of the Management Board of Bank Pekao participated in the debate, "Between Customer Protection and Customer Independence – Finding the Golden Mean in Education." Moderated by Andrzej Stec (Bankier.pl), the discussion focused on security, knowledge sharing between banks, and its importance for the entire financial sector, particularly in the context of the ongoing digital revolution.
Risk in Finance and Decision-Making
The expert discussion "Those who don't take risks... make mistakes?" featured Dr. Krzysztof Jajuga, professor at the Wrocław University of Economics, and Prof. Witold Orłowski, Vistula University. The discussion was moderated by Piotr Rożek (PAP Biznes). The main topic was the role of risk in financial decision-making and the importance of education, properly understood. The experts pointed out that risk is an inherent element of economic and investment development.
Capital market and trust
„"Trust, Knowledge, Long-Termism – Three Pillars of Investment and Savings Market Development" – the debate was attended by Marta Damm-Świerkocka, Member of the Management Board of PFR Portal PPK; Michał Kobza, Member of the Management Board of the Warsaw Stock Exchange; Jarosław Dominiak, President of the Management Board of the Association of Individual Investors; Dr. Samer Masri, Director of the PKO Bank Polski Brokerage House; and Małgorzata Rusewicz, President of the Chamber of Fund and Asset Management. The moderator was Patrycjusz Wyżga from Wirtualna Polska. The panelists emphasized that the development of the capital market requires not only appropriate regulations but, above all, an informed society. They noted that building a capital market ecosystem based on trust is a long-term process, and the 35-year history of the Warsaw Stock Exchange is an important stage in its development.
Financial well-being as a foundation
The Congress program included a discussion titled "A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Wallet – On the Preventive Role of Economic Knowledge." Participants included Dr. Katarzyna Sekścińska, a professor at the University of Warsaw, and Mariola Szymańska, President of the Management Board of the EFPA Poland Foundation. The meeting was moderated by Sylwia Zadrożna of Polish Radio. The experts emphasized the importance of financial hygiene and regular monitoring of financial situation as a key element of mental well-being and life stability.
Innovation, inspiration and collaboration
The afternoon sessions of the Congress included three thematic tracks: "Inspirations", "Innovations" and "Cooperation".
As part of "Inspiration", programs were presented that develop competences of the future, including the integration of the STEAM approach in economic education.
The "Innovations" track focused on the use of new technologies in education, including artificial intelligence, gamification, and the digitization of the learning process. The importance of digital hygiene and security in a world of cashless payments was emphasized.
The "Collaboration" session focused on partnerships between the banking sector, education, and public administration. It was emphasized that financial literacy is becoming one of the key skills of the future, and its development requires the cooperation of many communities.
Partners and patronages
The Congress was held under the honorary patronage of the KRUE and the Financial Education Council. The Polish Bank Association and the Warsaw Stock Exchange were the institutional patrons. The PFR Foundation was the general partner, and the PKO Bank Polski Bank was the main partner. Supporting partners included Bank Pekao, the Millennium Bank Foundation, the ING Children's Foundation, the Santander Bank Polska Foundation, and the National Depository for Securities (KDPW). Media patrons of the event included TVP Info, PAP Biznes, Parkiet, the BANK Financial Monthly, BANK.pl, and Radio Kampus.
