To mark World Philosophy Day, the Italian Ministry of Education and the Fondazione de Sanctis organized a live-streamed national marathon on “Philosophy: An Agenda for the Future”, with the contribution of philosophers, international experts and students, on 21 November 2020.
“Philosophy, in addition to encouraging the development of critical and independent thinking, promotes and develops a better understanding of the complexity of life, helping us to always look for answers and ask the right questions. This is why we must bring the language of philosophy closer to our children, making it familiar, pleasant and understandable,” said Italy’s Minister of Education Lucia Azzolina on the occasion of the event, organized under the patronage of the Italian National Commission for UNESCO.
Welcoming the initiative, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini affirmed that “at a time of epochal change, of great complexity and uncertainty for humanity, we must take the opportunity to reflect on the world of tomorrow, in a context of broad technological, environmental and social challenges. Philosophy is one of the essential engines of democratic life. A democracy requires its citizens to practice openness, independent thinking, qualities that can only be achieved through the construction of critical and empathic capacities.”
See also: fondazionedesanctis.it / pensareilpresente.org