the introduction

This document serves as a proposal for an assistance program for families in the Arab community who have been affected as a result. It is expected that the financial education tools that will be provided to people according to this proposal will help heads of households to acquire sound financial management skills and habits and make better economic decisions. Financial education is one of the tools available today to inculcate wiser and more efficient economic behavior among the general public.

Program leadership

The program will be run by the Arab Economic Forum, an independent, non-profit, socio-economic think tank. The Forum aims to study social and economic issues, and conduct applied research and policy studies in the fields of economy and society, with the aim of bringing about a fundamental change in the social and economic situation of the Palestinian Arab community in Israel. The Forum is a financially and administratively independent body that has no party, religious or ethnic affiliation. It operates under the supervision of a Board of Trustees composed of well-known academics and public figures in Israel and abroad. The Board of Trustees determines the center’s research policy, approves its plans and budget, and supervises the implementation of its programmes. The Forum is managed by Dr. Sami Miari, who was chosen by the Board of Trustees, and his work is supervised by an independent auditor who was also chosen by the Board of Trustees. The forum’s vision is to develop and expand the economy in the Arab community in Israel in all aspects of life, which is fully consistent with the forum’s goal of spreading financial culture among individuals and institutions in this community.

Background

The Corona epidemic crisis is causing great economic turmoil in the Israeli economy, especially for families and individuals. Business owners, freelancers, and employees were forced suddenly and without being prepared to face a very difficult economic spiral after the government decided to reduce economic activity in order to combat the Corona virus. As a result, many families find themselves completely powerless in the face of the huge loss of income, given that expenses have not decreased, but have increased in some cases. In these particular days, it is important to internalize the importance of financial education in the Arab community in Israel. The Arab society in particular is expected to face severe economic challenges due to the special nature of the local labor market and the unique employment characteristics of men and women in it. One of the tools to effectively deal with these challenges is to raise awareness and promote financial education among Arabs, which would improve the quality of life of Arab families. Raising awareness of opportunities as well as risks, the importance of wise and balanced consumption, the importance of comparing prices and postponing luxuries, and dealing with the culture of luxury are just some of the benefits of financial education. Financial education is a process in which consumers improve their understanding of financial services and the principles by which financial markets operate. Financial literacy develops the skill and self-confidence to make informed decisions, to recognize the need for professional help and to know where to get it. Financial education increases the knowledge and awareness necessary to deal properly with the financial markets based on the individual’s need to take full responsibility for managing his financial affairs wisely and effectively. Financial education is suitable for children of different ages depending on the life cycle in which they find themselves – from young ages when the foundation is laid for sound financial management, to more advanced ages in which financial decisions are directly reflected in the quality of life of the individual and his family. Accordingly, internalizing the values ​​of financial culture in families will lead to acquiring the right habits and tools to deal with different situations in order to make wiser decisions in the economic and financial field, such as acquiring knowledge, skills and values ​​that instill the correct behavioral ingredients for wiser consumption and more ability to save and invest in the long run.

Vision

Families in Arab society have the financial tools and knowledge to enable them to make informed decisions that improve their quality of life.

Program purpose

Helping families in the Arab community deal with the economic impacts of the Coronavirus.

Define the program

Spreading awareness, increasing knowledge, and providing important tools and values ​​in the field of financial education to parents and students in the Arab community in the areas of family economy, capital market, banking and personal consumption.

Program Goals

• Acquisition of planning and financial management tools.
• Develop independent and critical thinking.
• Increase awareness of the difference between needing, wanting, and being able to purchase a product.
• Increasing control over expenditures against incomes by setting priorities
• Encourage participants to make decisions for themselves and take responsibility for their actions.
• Providing tools to deal with external influences such as advertising, marketing methods, and social pressure.
• Tools and solutions for stressful situations such as debt burden, job loss, check selling, and black market loans.
• Providing tools to deal with the family’s desires and needs in various purchases or taking important financial steps.
• Provide the tools required for self-realization and encourage exit to the labor market.