The Swiss National Bankwww.snb.ch/..., which sponsors iconomix, is a public-law institution with a legal mandate.

The SNB has a natural interest in ensuring that the population has a basic grasp of economics, as this facilitates the communication – and thus the implementation – of monetary policy.

The aim of the iconomix programme is to improve knowledge of economics among the population at large. The SNB is not a commercial bank that solicits customers in the marketplace. In setting up iconomix, it is not pursuing any commercial or political interests.

The entire content of iconomix is available free of charge to anyone with internet access.

There are two restrictions:

1. Certain services are subject to a fee. Game accessories and other material will only be sent (currently free of charge) to active teaching staff working in Switzerland. iconomix reserves the right to introduce a fee to contribute to the cost of this mailing service. It is also not possible to offer training courses free of charge.
2. Certain sample answers and tests can only be viewed or downloaded in the password-protected area of the website. Active teaching staff working in Switzerland can apply for access.

The iconomix teaching tool is designed for use in schools. It seeks to use the potential offered by learning in an institutional and social context. Support from teachers is essential. Computers are used only if they add educationally worthwhile functionalities.

iconomix is thus not intended as an electronic self-teaching tool.

All of the iconomix teaching units provide information on integration into the curricula of Swiss upper secondary schools.

The basic economic principles communicated by iconomix are presented under Educational concept. The content is in line with the current state of the art.

Care has been taken to ensure a balanced mix of topics reflecting the broad diversity of economics. Thus, there are units both on market efficiency and on market failure. For each iconomix module, a qualified specialist not involved in the creation of the tool has been asked to supply a second opinion.

The aim of the iconomix teaching material is to encourage debate. There are always going to be a number of economic issues that are controversial both among the general public and in academic circles.

In setting up and developing iconomix, the SNB has been cooperating with various partners from the field of education. Before going live, each new iconomix module is tested in class by teachers working at upper secondary schools.

Feedback from users is welcome and systematically evaluated.

iconomix does not contain any product promotion. As a service for teachers, it merely provides pointers to suitable teaching materials, media contributions or training events.

The National Bank does not accept any funding from companies, parties or interest groups.