The power of literacy: Learning to understand, connect, and contribute

Every September 8, International Literacy Day reminds us that literacy is more than the ability to read and write. It is a foundation for learning, participation, opportunity, and change.

This year’s theme, “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity,” invites us to consider how learning can help create more inclusive societies, a more sustainable planet, and greater opportunities for individuals and communities.

At Parami University, this broader understanding of literacy is at the heart of a liberal arts education. Students are encouraged to think critically, question assumptions, understand different perspectives, and apply what they learn beyond the classroom.

Literacy for people is about more than communication. It is also about understanding others and participating meaningfully in diverse communities. Parami’s undergraduate students speak more than 10 mother tongues and come from 16 places of origin across Myanmar, Thailand, and Kenya. Learning alongside peers with different languages, cultures, and experiences creates opportunities to encounter perspectives beyond their own and develop the curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking needed to engage with others.

Literacy for the planet means developing the knowledge and awareness to recognize environmental challenges and take meaningful action. Parami’s student-led Environmental Club puts this into practice through initiatives such as the Responsible Market in Taunggyi, which promoted sustainable packaging, and Digital Cleanup Day, which encouraged students and community members to rethink everyday digital habits and reduce digital waste.

Literacy for prosperity can open pathways to employment, further study, entrepreneurship, and meaningful contribution to society. Three months after Parami’s first undergraduate cohort graduated, 43% had secured full-time employment, 7% were working part-time, 13% were undertaking internships, and 20% had continued their education through further study programs.

These journeys show that education is not simply about gaining knowledge, but about developing the ability to learn, adapt, make informed decisions, and turn knowledge into meaningful action. 

This reflects Parami University’s mission to educate students so they can become effective change agents and contributing members of the global community. Through a globally competitive liberal arts and sciences education, Parami nurtures critical thinking, inspired leadership, and compassionate service—equipping students to use what they learn to make a difference in their communities and beyond.

Literacy gives the students the foundation to learn; education gives them the opportunity to turn that learning into action—for themselves, their communities, the planet, and the future.