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In celebration of World Philosophy Day on 21 November, the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok (UNESCO Bangkok), in partnership with the French Embassy in Thailand and Alliance Française, will host a public round table on the role of philosophy in contemporary Thai society.
At a time when young people in Thailand increasingly turn to personal development coaches and social media influencers for guidance, the round table will invite audiences to consider the practical value of philosophy.
Adopted by the UNESCO General Conference in 2006, UNESCO’s World Philosophy Day celebrates the lasting impact of philosophy on social, cultural, and intellectual development. This year, UNESCO Bangkok, the Embassy of France in Thailand, and Alliance Française Bangkok are joining forces with Chulalongkorn, Mahidol, Silpakorn, and Thammasat Universities for a day of intellectual inquiry into why philosophy matters.
Background
‘Cogito, ergo sum’ – ‘I think, therefore I am…’ René Descartes
‘Consciousness is devoid of Self’, Vinnanam Anattam, Buddha (attributed)
French and Thai philosophical traditions often seem worlds apart. Where 17th-century French philosopher René Descartes championed human intellect, the Buddha denied the existence of a permanent self. Are these views truly as different as they appear? How have different schools of thought shaped French and Thai societies? And how might their ideas connect to the insights shared by modern personal development coaches?
Guest speakers from Thailand and France will lead audiences on an intellectual journey through the similarities and differences between these interpretations of the world. They will also discuss new philosophical practices emerging in academia and among youth. The event also promises to offer insight into how philosophy is being taught at some of Thailand’s prominent universities at a time of rapid social shifts.
Event Format
- Round Table Discussion on Philosophy and Self-development: targeted at graduate students, faculty members, media, and professionals.
- Book Club Special Session: Featuring discussion and presentation of philosophical books and methods.
Anticipated Participants
Students and faculty members of Chulalongkorn, Mahidol, Silpakorn, and Thammasat Universities; staff from the French Embassy; members of Alliance Française Bangkok; the UNESCO community; and the general public.
Details and to register:
Working Languages:
English, French, Thai
Date:
21 November 2024
Time:
15:00-17:00 hrs
Venue:
Alliance Française Bangkok, 179 Witthayu Rd., Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand
To register:
Please click here to register.
Programme
15.00–16.00: Special session of the ‘Read Me Again’ book club on The Little Book of Hygge (media library)
16.00–16.45: Presentation of the book ‘The Pedagogy of the Community of Philosophical Enquiry as Citizenship Education - Global Perspectives on Talking Democracy into Action’ by Dr. Vachararutai Boontinand, Mahidol University (media library)
17.00–19.00: Roundtable discussion, ’Why Philosophy Matters’
Moderator: Jean Bourdin, Director, Alliance Française Bangkok
17.00–17.05: Remarks by HE Mr Jean-Claude POIMBOEUF, Ambassador of France to Thailand
17.05–17.10: Remarks by Soohyun Kim, Regional Director, UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok
17.10–17.15: Group photos
- Photo with event partners
- Photo with round table speakers
Moderator: Phinith Chanthalangsy, Regional Advisor for Social and Human Sciences, UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok
17.15–17.30: ‘The Art of Doing Philosophy with Children’, by Dr Edwige Chirouter, UNESCO Chair Holder. Université de Nantes, France, speaking on ‘Philosophical practices with children: an educational basis for intercultural dialogue and social transformation’
17.30–17.45: ‘Why democracy needs philosophy’, by Dr Muanmard Mookpradit, Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thammasat University, Thailand
17.45–18.00: Discussion
18.00–18.15: ‘What it means to utter “I” according to Emmanuel Levinas’, by Mr Donlawat Buapradit, Lecturer, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, Silpakorn University, Thailand
18.15–18.30: ‘The Challenges of Teaching Philosophy in Thailand’, by Dr Piyarudee Chaiyaporn, Lecturer, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
18.30–19.00: Open floor / Q&A session
19.00–20.00: Reception (ground floor)
For more information:
- Social and Human Sciences Unit, UNESCO Bangkok: shs.bgk(at)unesco.org
- Communications and Public Engagement Team, UNESCO Bangkok: cpe.bangkok(at)unesco.org
- UNESCO’s World Philosophy Day 2024
#SocialTransformation #YouthEmpowerment
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