"If you were to decide the monetary policy interest rate, what impact would it have on the economy?" This was the challenge posed today by the Governor of the National Bank of Moldova, Anca Dragu, during a monetary policy meeting simulation workshop, organized for high school students from the Republican Theoretical High School "Aristotle" with which the NBM has a collaborative partnership.
The event, held under the auspices of Global Money Week 2025, offered young people the opportunity to step into the role of professional decision-makers and understand the mechanisms that influence the country's financial stability.
"Financial education is crucial in shaping an informed and responsible generation. Through this exercise, we aim to show young people how interconnected monetary policy decisions are with everyday life. Understanding these mechanisms is a key lever in building a society that is better prepared for future financial market developments and more capable of fostering personal well-being," emphasized Anca Dragu, who guided the simulation in an interactive format.
The high school students, who took on the roles of members of the NBM's Executive Board, analysed real macroeconomic data from the Inflation Report alongside Governor Anca Dragu and reached a monetary policy decision. Throughout the process, they discovered how the base rate influences lending, saving and the balance of financial markets.
"It was a unique experience! We felt like real economists, making decisions that can influence the stability of an entire economy," participants shared, with some expressing their desire to join the NBM team in the future.
The simulation workshop is now in its second edition and is part of the NBM's commitment to supporting young people in gaining financial literacy and developing critical economic thinking. Through such initiatives, the central bank aims to prepare a generation that is aware of the impact of financial decisions and capable of confidently navigating the complex world of the modern economy.
