Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Work Hours
Monday to Friday: 7AM - 7PM
Weekend: 10AM - 5PM
Economic Literacy Program
The Economic Literacy Program at the Liberal Alternative Institute (LAI) is designed to empower individuals and communities with essential knowledge and skills to navigate today’s complex economic landscape. Recognizing that economic literacy is a cornerstone of both personal and societal well-being, LAI implements projects and initiatives that promote financial awareness, entrepreneurial thinking, and informed decision-making.
In an increasingly interconnected world, understanding financial and economic principles is more than a necessity—it is a fundamental skill for fostering self-sufficiency, responsible citizenship, and sustainable development. The Economic Literacy Program is particularly focused on marginalized communities, young people, and underrepresented groups, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has the tools to make informed financial and economic choices.
By demystifying economic concepts and fostering critical thinking about financial choices, this program helps individuals build financial resilience, plan for their futures, and actively participate in their local economies. Through structured educational initiatives, hands-on learning experiences, and advocacy efforts, LAI aims to bridge the gap between economic knowledge and real-life applications.
Key Focus Areas of the Economic Literacy Program
✔ Financial and Economic Education – Enhancing economic and financial literacy through innovative educational programs. A key initiative is the Economics Olympiad, which encourages critical thinking among young people, challenging them to apply economic concepts to real-world scenarios. Additionally, the program includes summer schools that provide intensive training for students in financial literacy and economic decision-making.
✔ Youth Economic Empowerment – Dedicated programs designed to help young people understand the basics of economics, career planning, and self-employment opportunities. These initiatives aim to prepare youth for the realities of the job market, equipping them with the skills needed to make informed financial decisions, explore entrepreneurship, and navigate economic challenges.
✔ Policy Advocacy – LAI collaborates with educational institutions and policymakers to promote economic literacy in high schools. A central initiative in this area is the integration of the course “Common Sense Economics” into formal education. This initiative aims to embed essential economic knowledge into high school curricula, ensuring that young learners develop a practical understanding of financial concepts, economic principles, and personal finance management.
✔ Public Awareness Campaigns – Raising awareness about economic literacy through media campaigns, public forums, conferences, and seminars. These initiatives engage a wide audience, fostering a culture of informed economic decision-making and highlighting the importance of financial education in building resilient communities and economies
Subprograms within the Economic Literacy Program
Book Promotion – “Common Sense Economics” Bringing economic knowledge to the wider public by promoting and distributing the book Common Sense Economics. This initiative aims to make economic principles more accessible and understandable, encouraging individuals to apply these concepts in their daily lives.
Economics Olympiad A prestigious competition that challenges high school students to engage critically with economic and financial concepts, applying their knowledge to solve real-world problems. The Olympiad enhances problem-solving abilities and fosters analytical thinking, preparing students for future academic and professional success.
ECONLIT Forum An annual forum that gathers key stakeholders—including policymakers, educators, financial experts, civil society , and business actors—to discuss the state of economic and financial literacy. The forum serves as a platform for sharing best practices, developing policy recommendations, and fostering collaboration among different sectors. Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, the ECONLIT Forum promotes dialogue on economic literacy as a driver of social and economic development.
Teacher Training in Economic Pedagogy Training programs aimed at educators and trainers to enhance their ability to teach economic and financial concepts effectively. This initiative equips teachers with the latest pedagogical tools and methods to inspire and educate students in economic literacy.
Digital Platform for Economic Pedagogy A modern, interactive platform designed to support educators, students, and professionals in their economic learning journey. The platform offers online courses, educational materials, and interactive tools to make economic literacy more engaging and widely accessible.
Financial and Economic Literacy through a Gender Lens An initiative that focuses on the gendered aspects of economic literacy, ensuring that both men and women have equal access to financial knowledge and opportunities. This subprogram promotes economic inclusion and financial independence, particularly among women and marginalized groups.
Summer School for Non-Economic Students A unique initiative that introduces students from non-economic backgrounds to fundamental economic and financial concepts. This program aims to make economic literacy accessible to a broader audience, bridging the gap between different academic disciplines and real-world economic understanding.
Coffee Talks A series of informal discussions where experts, professionals, and citizens come together in a relaxed setting to exchange ideas on economic literacy, financial independence, and economic trends. These gatherings provide a casual yet insightful environment for exploring key economic
topics without the formality of structured conferences or workshops. Coffee Talks encourage open discussions, peer learning, and the sharing of personal experiences related to financial decision-making, economic policies, and market trends. The initiative is particularly aimed at young professionals, students, and community members who seek to expand their economic understanding in an approachable and engaging way.
