Launch of the UNESCO Chair on the practice of philosophy with children

On the occasion of World Philosophy Day 2016, UNESCO is organizing a ceremony, at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 18 November 2016, to launch the newly established UNESCO Chair “Practice of philosophy with children: an educative basis for intercultural dialogue and social transformation” at the University of Nantes (France). The Chairholder, Dr Edwige Chirouter, is also overall coordinator of the 15th International Encounters on New Philosophical Practices, which will also be organized at the same occasion (UNESCO Headquarters, 16-17 November 2016).

The tragic events that have occurred in recent years everywhere across the world have alerted governments to the requirement to educate future citizens, from early childhood, in critical thinking, humanistic values, equality between men and women and the need for peaceful and respectful dialogue between cultures.

The UNESCO Chair on the practice of philosophy with children (from 4 to 18 years old) aims to develop such citizen practices through research, teaching, training and the dissemination of pedagogical tools in schools and in the broader social context. For this purpose, this UNESCO Chair will ensure coordination between the different teams and French-speaking structures that already work on this subject and will help consolidate cooperation between researchers and practitioners within North-South relations. The Chair also aims to facilitate dialogue between children from all over the world dialogue through a collaborative platform financed by the project Enjeu[x] and social medias.

The ceremony will be addressed by Mr Olivier Laboux, President of Nantes University, Mr Christian Robledo, President of Angers University, Mr Daniel Janicot, President of the French National Commission for UNESCO, Ms Edwige Chirouter, coordinator of the UNESCO Chair, and six pupils selected in two schools that implement philosophy workshops.

An excerpt from the documentary “Ce n’est qu’un début” produced by Ms Cilvy Aupin will be screened (15 minutes). A round table will follow until 12 noon. Discussion with the audience will run to the end of the event at 12:30 pm.

Registration is required. Contact: WPD.inscriptions@unesco.org