At just 16, Ashveen Kaur from Wantirna is setting her sights on a global challenge: illiteracy. The World Literacy Foundation has named her a Youth Ambassador for 2025, putting her on the front line of a global campaign to lift reading and writing standards among disadvantaged children.
Joining a cohort of young advocates from 90 countries, Ashveen will represent her community and push for wider access to education. She is determined to highlight literacy as a basic right, not a luxury. “I want to inspire young minds, support initiatives that dismantle barriers to education, and contribute to a future where literacy is a right,” she says.
Ashveen’s sense of purpose is personal. From volunteering with The Smith Family to helping elderly residents in care homes, she’s already been putting in the hours. Through the LEO Club, she’s helped raise funds for community causes, and with St John Youth, she’s been building practical skills in first aid while promoting health awareness.
Her involvement with the Smiling Hearts Uganda initiative and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition has sharpened her global perspective. At school, she’s contributed to the Reconciliation Action Plan, helping shape discussions on Indigenous awareness and inclusion.
What unites all these efforts is a deep commitment to helping others learn and thrive. “Knowledge is the most powerful tool for creating lasting change,” she says. Her new role with the World Literacy Foundation gives her a platform to not only talk about change, but help make it happen.
Ashveen plans to lead literacy projects in her community, work with fellow ambassadors across the world, and draw attention to the impact of poor reading skills on social outcomes. For children from low-income backgrounds, literacy rates are often alarmingly low—on average, 72% struggle to read in these households. Globally, 770 million people still can’t read a single word.
The World Literacy Foundation’s goal is to end illiteracy by 2034, and its Youth Ambassador program plays a key role in keeping that mission alive at the community level. For Ashveen, it’s also a chance to grow as a leader, connect with others working for change, and be part of something bigger than herself.
“I hope to create a meaningful impact by advocating for literacy as a fundamental right,” she says. “Every child, regardless of background, deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.”
As far as personal missions go, this one is simple—open more books, open more minds. And Ashveen Kaur is getting started.
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