World Philosophy Day 2012: "Future Generations"
In establishing World Philosophy Day in 2005, the General Conference highlighted the importance of this discipline, especially for young people, underlining that “philosophy is a discipline that encourages critical and independent thought and is capable of working towards a better understanding of the world and promoting tolerance and peace”.
UNESCO's General Conference was convinced that “the institutionalization of Philosophy Day at UNESCO as world philosophy day would win recognition for and give strong impetus to philosophy and, in particular, to the teaching of philosophy in the world”.
In 2012, the World Philosophy Day will be held on Thursday, 15 November for the tenth time, with events being organized at the international, national and local levels. They will enable their participants to share a multitude of views and experiences, fully respecting cultural diversity, with regard to the main theme of the 2012 World Philosophy Day which is “Future Generations”.
For UNESCO, philosophy offers a cross-cutting reflection and analysis that should permeate all disciplines which aim to build a better understanding of our present world and develop adequate responses to challenges. Philosophers have a very important role in shedding light on contemporary challenges, especially when these relate to ethics and justice. We believe that critical thinking, foresight, and ethical judgment are invaluable ingredients for a healthy society. For this reason UNESCO strives to strengthen the philosophical perspective in all its programmes and fields of action.
UNESCO leads World Philosophy Day – but does not own it. It belongs to everyone, everywhere, who cares about philosophy.
On this Day of collective exercise in free, reasoned and informed thinking on the major challenges of our time, all of UNESCO’s partners (national governments, their public institutions and organizations, including National Commissions for UNESCO, relevant non-governmental organizations, associations, universities, institutes, schools, UNESCO/UNITWIN Chairs, Associated Schools and Clubs and so forth) are encouraged to organize various types of activities - philosophical dialogues, debates, conferences, workshops, cultural events and presentations around the general theme of the Day, with the participation of philosophers and scientists from all branches of natural and social sciences, educators, teachers, students, press journalists and other mass media representatives, and the general public.
Media
Journalists wishing to cover the events require accreditation.
Contact
Djibril Kebe: +33 (0)1 45 68 17 41, d.kebe(at)unesco.org
Highlights
PROGRAMME
UNESCO PARIS
14-15 November 2012
15 November 2012
- Master Classes of Philosophy Teaching for Children
- Special Event: Installation of a “time capsule”
- Round Table on the theme "Youth, Philosophy and Future"
- Life: Art for Human Future - Philosophy Café (15 Nov) / Exhibition (12-16 Nov)
- The Spirit of the Andes - Philosophy Café (15 Nov) / Exhibition (12-16 Nov)
- 6 p.m. - Concert: Circular Time
16 November 2012
AROUND THE WORLD
TIME CAPSULE
Join the celebration
-
Radio show. Contact popular local/national radio stations to request a slot to have a discussion with distinguished philosophers.
-
Organize a public meeting, debate or café philosophique on philosophical questions.
-
Initiate round table discussions among adults and young people to promote intergenerational understanding.
-
Organize a concert to promote World Philosophy Day. Invite your local musicians.
-
Get permission to use a public space for an arts exhibit or a book fair in relation to philosophy.
Related Information
Pages
Background
- Philosophy Day at UNESCO
- Previous editions: 2011 / 2010 / 2009 / 2008
Key Documents
- Arab-Muslim Civilization in the Mirror of the Universal: Philosophical Perspectives
- Asian-Arab Philosophical Dialogues on Culture of Peace and Human Dignity [PDF, 2.7 MB]
- Asian-Arab Philosophical Dialogues on Globalization, Democracy and Human Rights [PDF, 1.9 MB]
- Asian-Arab Philosophical Dialogues on War and Peace [PDF, 1.1 MB]
- UNESCO Study “Philosophy: A School of Freedom” [PDF, 14 MB]
- Squaring the circle, Women Philosophers’ Journal, Issue N° 1, November 2011
- Teaching Philosophy in Europe and North America [PDF, 1.8 MB]
- Teaching Philosophy in Latin America and the Caribbean [PDF, 699 KB]
- Teaching Philosophy in Africa: Anglophone Countries [PDF, 439 KB]
- Teaching Philosophy in Asia and the Pacific [PDF, 529 KB]
- Teaching Philosophy in the Arab Region [PDF, 940 KB]
- The UNESCO Courier - Humanism, a new idea [PDF, 5.6 MB]
- The UNESCO Courier - Philosophy, a cosmic responsibility [PDF, 906 KB]