Why are deferred payments so tempting? How can you shop without getting into debt? Is online security possible? And what should you know when starting a business? Experts will answer these and many other questions during the Financial Ombudsman Days, which will take place on 16 and 17 April at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics at the University of Gdańsk.
This year’s Financial Ombudsman Days will be held under the slogan ‘The Well-being of Your Finances’. Over the course of two days, students from the University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology and the Medical University of Gdańsk will learn how to look after their financial well-being.
The theme of the first day of the event will be “The present and the future? Saving methods and risk avoidance”. On Thursday, 16 April, experts will present various methods of saving for one’s ‘golden years’, explain the mechanics of the pension system, and demonstrate how to invest small amounts using the examples of government bonds and ETFs.
The second day will focus on financial security. The spotlight will be on issues related to misinformation and fake news in finance and their impact on young people’s decisions. Experts will also explain the risks associated with cryptocurrencies and BNPL (buy now, pay later) services, highlighting how to avoid falling into debt. The very important topic of online security and financial hygiene will also be addressed. Participants will learn how to protect their data and funds from cybercriminals. The event will conclude with a panel discussion for those planning to start a business. Experts will offer advice on what to bear in mind when launching your first business.
PROGRAMME
16 April: The present and the future? Saving methods and risk avoidance
10.00-10.15 - Opening of the event
10.15-10.45 - Critical economic processes - bankruptcies, insolvencies, restructurings and liquidations of enterprises - a brief overview of what is happening in the real economy and how it affects the security of our business operations (Dr Paweł Antonowicz, prof. UG, Vice-Rector for Development and Finance, University of Gdańsk)
10.45-11.15 - Personal pension investment strategies - think about the future! (Dr Marcin Potrykus, Faculty of Management and Economics, Gdańsk University of Technology).
11.15-11.45 - Pension inflows and outflows - the mechanics of the pension system (Dr hab. Marcin Kawiński, prof. at the Warsaw School of Economics, Deputy Financial Ombudsman)
11.45-12.00 - coffee break
12.00-12.30 - How to invest small amounts using the example of government bonds and ETFs? (Monika Madej, economist and financial educator)
12.30-13.00 - Insurance contracts - a risk management tool - what should you look out for when taking out a policy? Is an insurance-linked investment a guaranteed return? (Dr Paulina Wyszyńska-Ślufińska, Legal Advisor, Field Representative of the Financial Ombudsman, Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Gdańsk)
17 April: The security of your finances every day
10.00-10.25 - Who do we learn about finance from? Fake news and financial disinformation - a one-on-one conversation: Anna Brodowska, student at the Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Gdańsk, vs Deputy Financial Ombudsman Dr Marcin Kawiński, prof. at the Warsaw School of Economics
10.25-10.50 - Cryptocurrencies - what do you need to know about the risks? (Michał Sas, Director of the Department of Accessibility, Analysis and Legislation at the Office of the Financial Ombudsman)
10.50-11.15 - BNPL (buy now pay later) - how to avoid getting into debt? (Paweł Kołakowski, Legal Adviser, Office of the Financial Ombudsman)
11.15-11.30 - coffee break
11.30-12.00 - Online security - is it even possible? (Inspector Marcin Kulesza, Sergeant Piotr Baczyński and Senior Constable Grzegorz Neumann, Economic Crime and Corruption Division, Gdańsk City Police Headquarters; Przemysław Loose, Security Department, Alior Bank)
12.00-12.45 - Let’s get started! What you need to know when starting a business (Monika Kościewicz, Legal Adviser, Regional Representative of the Ombudsman for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises; Flora Olszak, Legal Adviser, Office of the Ombudsman for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Gdańsk Regional Branch; Dorota Suchora, Head of the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) Inspectorate in Gdańsk-Wrzeszcz, Arkadiusz Bosiacki, Deputy Director of the ZUS Branch in Gdańsk for Revenue)
12.45-13.00 - Closing remarks