World Philosophy Day, an annual celebration of philosophy initiated by UNESCO in 2005, continues to extend its scope. In 2008, the event was held in Palermo (Italy) on November 20 and 21, while numerous other initiatives took place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and in over 80 countries around the world. The 2008 celebration was held in honour of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights.

Palermo, Italy:

The city of Palermo hosted an international celebration in the presence of the Director-General of UNESCO and leading Italian figures, on 20 and 21 November 2008. The theme “Power and Rights” was debated – chosen to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Numerous round tables on various themes brought together philosophers from all the regions of the world: “Philosophy, Chaos and Law”, “Human Dignity, Civil Community and Public Authority”, or even “Identities facing each other: Cultural Diversity and Philosophical Dialogues.”

Paris (UNESCO Headquarters):

The 8th colloquium on the “New Philosophical Practices” was held on 19 and 20 November 2008. This meeting, organized by the Philolab association and the IUFM of Créteil (France), was to be a place for debate and exchange for everyone interested or involved in the innovative practices of philosophy. Its aim was to make this discipline accessible to as many people as possible and to spread its practice to a wide range of places, such as primary and secondary schools, hospitals, companies or organizations, open universities, etc. The dissemination of philosophical teaching and practices are strongly supported by UNESCO. In 2007, the Organization published a study entitled Philosophy, a school for freedom. It offers a state of the art study and analysis of the issue in all regions in the world.

An event entitled “Psychoanalysis, Rights, Knowledge” was co-organized by UNESCO and the journal Insistance, from 20 to 21 November 2008. The aim of this symposium was to re-examine the senses, the roles and the values of the notion of the universal "human being" in our rights and knowledge systems, and also in the unconscious which underlies our understanding. It gave rise to individual conferences and debates on two important themes: “Thinking about Unrest in Culture” and “Revealing the Truth.”

Finally, the colloquium entitled “Françoise Dolto, Latest Thinking, 1908-2008” will celebrate the centenary of this illustrious French pediatrician and psychoanalyst. The meeting will examine how her living heritage transcends to other thoughts and new practices. The theme of the child as a subject for thought in its own right, finds a particular echo in UNESCO’s publication Philosophy, a school of freedom. It goes into detail on the problematic and the practice of philosophy for children (PPE).

Member States:

Meanwhile, in more than 80 UNESCO Member States, students, teachers, professors and researchers in philosophy took an active part in events which will be organized by different partners: National Commissions for UNESCO, UNESCO Field Offices, universities, associations, research centers, specialized NGOs, institutes, and others.

More information is available on www.unesco.org/shs/en/philosophy

Contact:
Feriel Ait-ouyahia, f.ait-ouyahia@unesco.org

Related Links:

UNESCO commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: 1948 - 2008