International Conference of Philosophy for Children 2006

from October 19 - 22, 2006, in Graz/Austria

Rapid social and economic change requires the rethinking of conventional values, flexibility and global thinking. Worldwide unrest leads to coexistence with people from other cultures and, due to prejudices and fears, to insecurity and aggression. Philosophizing with children and young people" can help in many ways to grow into this new world as independently thinking people capable of democracy and to reduce prejudices.

The focus of this international congress is on language and culture. What is actually new about the current cultural interdependence? What is the specific newness of global learning?

What is the role of philosophy in preparing children and young people for life in a transcultural environment? What contribution can experts from different disciplines (philosophy, psychology, pedagogy, ...) make - in the sense of transdisciplinarity? The role of philosophizing, critical, networked thinking and the relevance for current -- especially also ethical -- problems of our time are in the foreground. These problems concern, among others, the following areas:

• Culture and education
• Transculturality and transdisciplinarity
• citizenship and democracy
• intercultural communication and global thinking
• Lifelong learning - education and training
• Global Learning

Philosophizing with children is more popular today than ever before. In some European countries there are efforts to integrate philosophizing into the various primary school subjects, in others there are already separate subjects dedicated to philosophical content (philosophizing with children, ethics, religion, life skills).

The international congress is planned as an intercultural and interdisciplinary forum. The main goal is to stimulate and maintain scientific discussion and personal exchange. Furthermore, recent research results will be presented, lectures and workshops will be offered and working groups on specific topics will be formed. The congress will provide an up-to-date overview of the state of research.