Since 1967, the world has observed International Literacy Day every September 8 as a reminder that literacy is the key to opening the world. In Indonesia, the celebration is often called Hari Aksara Internasional or Hari Literasi Internasional. Two terms, one meaning: honoring the ability to read and write as a way to nurture humanity. This year, UNESCO highlights Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era, while Indonesia emphasizes The Piety of Digital Literacy: Building Civilization. Both themes affirm that literacy is no longer just a technical skill, but a moral and social foundation for navigating the digital age.
The six pillars of literacy: reading, numeracy, science, financial, digital, and cultural-civic now move in harmony with 21st-century competencies: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication. AI and digital technologies can become allies when used wisely: helping us filter information, strengthen networks, and support the Sustainable Development Goals, from quality education to climate action. “Pious” literacy means not only being smart with technology but also preserving values, ethics, and sustainability.
Pelangi Eka Nusa brings these ideals to life through Teras Ciliwung, a riverside learning space that serves as a stage for literacy and disaster preparedness. Children read books, write poems, map flood risks, and practice earthquake readiness. Communities share stories, rehearse disaster mitigation, and learn to care for the river. From the banks of the Ciliwung, a spirit emerges: literacy as action - linking words with deeds, nurturing nature, and raising a generation ready to face the digital world with both heart and conscience.