IKHTISAR: Kekayaan alam dan budaya Cianjur perlu dikenali, diapresiasi, diekspresikan, dan dikreasikan sebagai wujud syukur masyarakat Cianjur kepada pencipta-Nya. Hal ini merupakan salah satu implementasi dari program Kabupaten Cianjur, yakni âGerbang Marhamahâ. Beragam keunggulan budaya lokal yang ada di Cianjur telah dikenal luas, baik oleh masyarakat Indonesia maupun dunia. Budaya Cianjur seperti âMamaosâ (budaya), âNgaosâ (agama), dan âMaenpoâ (tangguh) merupakan budaya yang unik di dunia. Keunikannya itu akan dapat diapresiasi, diekspresikan, dan dikreasikan apabila disosialisasikan melalui bacaan. Sampai saat ini, bacaan tidak dapat dipisahkan dari pendidikan â yang merupakan jembatan bagi peningkatan sumber daya manusia. Pengungkapan potensi ke-Cianjur-an melalui bacaan diharapkan berdampak positif terhadap peningkatan literasi masyarakat Cianjur. KATA KUNCI: Potensi budaya, literasi, modal sosial, masyarakat Cianjur, bangsa Indonesia, dan era globalisasi.ABSTRACT: Natural and cultural richness of Cianjur needs to be recognized, appreciated, expressed, and improvised as an Cianjur societyâs act of gratitude to her Creator. This is one of the implementation of the Cianjur District program, "Gerbang Marhamah" (the gate of love and affection). Various superior local cultural in Cianjur has been widely recognized, both by the people of Indonesia and the world. Cianjurâs cultures like "Mamaos" (culture), "Ngaos" (religion), and "Maenpo" (honesty) is a unique culture in the world. Its uniqueness would be appreciated, expressed, and improvised if itâs been socialized through reading. Until now, the readings cannot be separated from education â which is the bridge for the improvement of human resources. Disclosure of Cianjuranness potential through reading is expected would have positive impact on increasing the public Cianjurâs literacy.KEY WORD: Cultural potential, literacy, social capital, Cianjurâs community, Indonesian nation, and globalization era. About the Author: Dr. Hajah Siti Maryam adalah Dosen Senior di Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan UNSUR (Universitas Suryakancana) di Kota Cianjur, Jawa Barat, Indonesia. Untuk kepentingan penelitian dan akademik, penulis boleh dihubungi dengan alamat emel: yams1964@yahoo.comHow to cite this article? Maryam, Siti. (2012). âMenjawab Tantangan Global dengan Mengembangkan Potensi Lokal: Studi Kasus pada Budaya dan Literasi Masyarakat Cianjurâ in ATIKAN: Jurnal Kajian Pendidikan, Vol.2(2) Desember, pp.273-286. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Press owned by ASPENSI in Bandung and FKIP UNSUR in Cianjur, West Java, ISSN 2088-1290. Chronicle of the article: Accepted (October 25, 2012); Revised (November 30, 2012); and Published (December 15, 2012).