"Creativity - Thinking - Philosophy" - October 15 - 18, 2009 in Graz/Austria

Creativity and thinking are the two main foci of this international conference of Philosophy with Children. Creative, critical, social and caring thinking are fundamental skills which are critical both for our cognitive and personal development, and for the well-being of every human being.
It is important to get involved in philosophical inquiry in every aspect of life; to think in a reflective way and to practise creative problem-solving. Philosophical inquiry enriches our speaking and acting, the implementation of knowledge in our everyday life, our art, science, technical science and society. Because it is so basic to our development, it is necessary to foster these skills early on with small children and to then deepen them through lifelong learning.
Creativity is an anthropologically basic character trait of human beings and essential for the self-reformation of society, including the reformation of science and culture. The relation of creativity and thinking means openness as well as critical reflection.

How can we foster creativity and self-reflective thinking in schools? Which approaches, methodologies, strategies, and possibilities do we see offered through our educational system? How do we understand the relation between individual and collective creativity? What contribution can philosophy make for the future of a knowledge-based society?

The Austrian Centre of Philosophy with Children organised a yearly conference - a conference that has already become a tradition - with the aim of exchanging philosophical ideas and theories grounded in interdisciplinary and intercultural perspectives with reference to new research projects and practical approaches. This year's conference will examine the role of creativity and thinking in children's development of life skills.

The congress offers papers and reports from international experts, an overview about the current state in research, exciting debates and a wide range of project presentations. It provides an important intercultural and interdisciplinary forum were academic discussions and exchanges of personal experiences can take place. The program offers the approximately 200 participants from 18 countries, among them 24 speakers, an eventful conference.

The themes of the conference cover the following fields:

* Creativity and thinking
* Virtual worlds- creativity and imagination
* Lifelong learning
* Citizenship and democracy
* Transculturality and transdisciplinarity
* Philosophy and ethics in school
* Culture, integration and education
* Pluralistic dimensions of philosophy with children



Place: Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Meerscheinschlößl,
Mozartgasse 3, A-8010 Graz

Organisation:ACPC Austrian Centre of Philosophy for Children

Mais informações através do e-mail kinderphilosophie@aon.at

Novo livro de Catherine C. McCall

Disponível aqui.

"Whether you believe something is possible or impossible doesn´t mean that it is.

People used to believe it was impossible to go into Space."

Daniel, nine-year-old schoolboy from Glasgow.

(from Sophia's website)

2008 SOPHIA Network Meeting, in Paris

2.5 Days Professional Development for SOPHIA Network members with Oscar Brenifier
SOPHIA Conference – Presentations of Philosophy with Children work from Europe
Networking Meeting

Sept. 26th – 29th

CELEBRATIONS
FOR THE FIRST TIME
WE HAVE
PASSED
100
SOPHIA MEMBERS!

Certificate of Professional Developmentin Community of Philosophical Inquiry

Friday August 22 – Tuesday Aug 26th 2008 (The Netherlands)

Contact: Dr. Catherine McCall (E-mail: mailto:%20c.mccall@strath.ac.uk)

Community of Philosophical Inquiry [CoPI]. The course has been developed to provide training in the theory and practice of the specific CoPI Methodology for those involved in working with groups of children, teenagers and adults in education, business, or in the community. The course is aimed at teachers, tutors and group leaders from all professions and aims to train participants in the appropriate knowledge, skills and strategies to implement CoPI Methodology with their own groups. Duration The course consists of approximately 90 hours learning, including 46 hours of direct teaching and 44 hours of supported research/self study.

Learning Outcomes By the end of the course the student should be able to:
*Demonstrate an understanding of the Realist Philosophy underlying the CoPI Methodology.
*Demonstrate competence in the practise of the CoPI Methodology.
*Demonstrate knowledge of Introductory logic, fallacies and argumentation.
*Analyse the underlying argumentationon forms within a CoPI dialogue.
*Demonstrate knowledge of Western academic Philosophy.
*Demonstrate knowledge of how the CoPI Methodology develops the thinking of participants.
*Demonstrate knowledge of how the CoPI Methodology develops the social competence of participants.

Course Director: Dr. Catherine C. McCall BA Hons MA TEFL MSc PhD FRSA

Renowned as a world leader in the field, Dr. Catherine McCall is President of Stichting SOPHIA: The European Foundation for Doing Philosophy with Children and Director of EPIC. Dr. McCall trained as a philosopher and psychologist at Trinity College, University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology and Manchester University. In 1984 she pioneered the practise of philosophising with young children in the USA, and from 1985- 86 whilst a Professor in Montclair USA, she introduced Philosophy for children, Nelson's Socratic Method and Community of Philosophical Inquiry (CoPI) method to the UK, Eire, France, and Spain through a series of International Training Workshops. She was appointed as the External Expert to the Government in Values and Character Education for the Sate of New Jersey, USA 1985-86. The 1990 BBC documentary "Socrates for Six year olds" featured Dr. McCall's PI work with young children in the USA. In 1990 Dr. McCall created M.Phil. and PhD. degrees in Philosophical Inquiry at Glasgow University.
In 2004 Dr. McCall was invited to present the CoPI method to the Scottish Parliament. As an international expert in Philosophy with children, she has been a Visiting Professor at: The Sorbonne; The Technical University of Barcelona; The University of South Carolina, USA; The Polish Academy of Sciences; Malta University; The Continuing Education University of Iceland.
Course Tutors: All course Tutors will hold an M.Phil. Degree in Philosophical Inquiry and have experience in implementing the CoPI methodology with both adults and children.
Fees £750 per person. The fee covers: administration, tuition, course materials, marking of students' work.

For further details on all University of Strathclyde CPD provision, please contact:

CPD Unit,Centre for Lifelong Learning,Graham Hills Building,40 George Street,Glasgow G1 1QETel: 0141 548 4147Fax: 0141 553 1270E-mail: cpd-cll@strath.ac.uk

First Advanced Seminar for Philosophy for Children, Swarthmoor Hall

«Dear Friends,

I can now confirm that the programme for the First Advanced Seminar for Philosophy for Children, taking place in the beautifulm surroundings of the historic Swarthmoor Hall http://www.swarthmoorhall.co.uk/history.htm from 23 May to 30th May 2008 is available.

Ann Sharp from the IAPC and Eugenio Echeverria from the Central American Centre for Philosophy for Children will be our guides.

There are a few places still available please contact Pat Hannam for more information on thinkingworlds@yahoo.co.uk.

Each day will begin with a philosophical session as related to P4C and will be led by Ann herself.

The second session each day will involve us all working with the novel Harry Stottlemeyer, one of the first written by Matthew Lipman and aimed at 10-13 year olds. The session will be in the form of a Community of Philosophical Enquiry using a section of the story each day to bring the questions. The first enquiry will be facilitated by either Eugenio or Ann and subsequent enquiries will be led by one of the community in a similar way to the Level 2 training here in UK. Each session will end with a good debrief time and allow for a full reflection not just on the enquiry but also of the usefulness of the materials.

There is free time each afternoon to enable people to prepare their enquiry.

For the late afternoon session we will work together with The Dolls Hospital (a novel written more recently by Ann and aimed at the infant age range) this will ensure that we are working well with materials for a wide age range.

It may be that we can be flexible with this session to look at a variety of materials. There will be the chance to clarify the kinds of materials which will enable a more philosophical enquiry and to use these deep reflections to inform our practice.

The evening offers time for individuals to present a paper, or other matter for exploration by the community. If you have plans for a session that you would like to lead please let me know and I will arrange for facilitation/chairing of this session by another member of the community.

Ann is very much looking forward to being with us. You may have heard that Phil has been ill and there was some possibility earlier in the year that she may not have been able to be with us. Now we are certain that the event will be taking place as planned and are looking forward to this very much.

The cost of this event is £400 which will include 6 days training and lunch and dinner each day. Accommodation can be arranged at Swarthmoor Hall, please indicate with your application a request for more information.


With very best wishes

Patricia Hannam»

for more information, please contact thinkingworlds@yahoo.co.uk