To mark its 100-year anniversary, the Swiss National Bank (SNB)http://www.iconomix.ch/en/about/whoisiconomix/snb/ wanted to help improve basic economic literacy among the population at large and to encourage the younger generation to take a greater interest in economic issues.

A central bank can carry out its monetary policy more easily and effectively if the general public has a sound knowledge of basic economic principles. For this reason, central banks around the world are committed to providing education in this area. Initiatives of this sort have already been launched, for instance, in the United Stateswww.federalreserveeducation.org/..., Canadawww.bankofcanada.ca/..., the United Kingdomwww.bankofengland.co.uk/..., Polandwww.nbpportal.pl and New Zealandwww.rbnz.govt.nz/....

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has also repeatedly expressed its wish to see more such initiatives set up and urges its member states to step up their efforts in this regard. A solid understanding of economics is particularly important in a country like Switzerland, where a direct democracy is in place.

The SNB has long been active in contributing to economic education, producing brochures and films on money and central bank policy, some of which are aimed at schools. Through the foundation it set up over 25 years ago – Study Center Gerzensee – the National Bank also offers a special training programme to central bankers from around the world as well as courses for PhD students of Swiss universities.

iconomix was developed by a teamhttp://www.iconomix.ch/en/about/who-is-behind-iconomix/iconomix-team/ of SNB economists together with the support of a number of experts, institutions and private companies from the field of education. Detailed information can be found under creditshttp://www.iconomix.ch/en/about/credits/.