Reading as Literacy

Do We Still Need It in the Future?

In a world increasingly shaped by voice assistants, image recognition, and artificial intelligence, one might ask: will reading still matter in the future? This very question served as the conceptual foundation for a recent workshop at Technische Gewerbeschule (TGM) in Vienna. The event, a collaboration between Poetry in Business, Lernbüro TGM, and Vienna’s renowned Kabinetttheater, brought together young minds, creative expression, and critical reflection.

Fourteen engineering and media students took part in the workshop. Through guided discussion and artistic experimentation, they explored what it means to be literate -- and what it means not to be. Conversations touched not only on reading and writing as personal skills but also as tools for participation in culture, education, and democracy. Some students even discovered echoes of illiteracy in their own family histories, prompting moments of profound reflection.

It was a pleasure to design and facilitate this workshop together with theatre-maker and puppeteer Christian Pfütze, who is known for his experimental approach to visual storytelling. His expertise enabled students to explore the theme of literacy not just as a skill but as a deeply human experience. The workshop formed part of the 2CG® (Content and Context) transformative educational approach, which integrates artistic stimuli into educational frameworks to foster deeper engagement and empathy. The workshop design and thematic input emphasized the societal implications of literacy, especially in the context of exclusion and marginalisation. Natascha Ehrenberger, who led the school’s involvement, recognised the program’s potential to enrich the learning environment and motivated students to participate voluntarily.

Most importantly, students realised that literacy is not a given -- it is a social responsibility. And in times of digital transformation, the need to rethink how we cultivate and honour this ability is more urgent than ever. Workshops like this one open up essential conversations about access to information, empathy, and participation. They show that literacy is not just about decoding letters—it’s about understanding lives. And yes, we still need it in the future. Perhaps more than ever.

Contact: Dr. Christina Merl

This workshop was sponsored by