Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium participated in the Première Conférence Nationale sur l’Education Financière (First National Conference on Financial Literacy) held at the Palais d’Egmont in Brussels on January 31, 2013.

During today’s event the princess gave a speech.  Here is what she had to say:

“Ladies and Gentlemen,

Financial service providers must act always keeping in mind the general interest of their young users. Lack of knowledge, they are often forced to take risks they do not always measure the consequences. It is our responsibility to prevent them from reckless financial decisions that might jeopardize their future, especially as our consumer society encourages them to make such decisions.

More than ever, uncertainty, and our contemporaries are increasingly difficult to manage their money wisely, whether income or expenditure, loans or investments. For this reason, I hope with all my heart that the program that today’s conference is the first step will prove as a catalyst for innovative initiatives that will benefit the groups who really need it.

Let us first to provide our children a secure financial future. They, too, the right to realize their dreams.

I wish you a successful study day.

Thank you.”