"Building peace in the minds of men"

The first clause in the preamble to UNESCO's constitution, adopted on November 16, 1945, states that "since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed."

According to UNESCO, this can be achieved by advancing knowledge, which fosters understanding and paves the way to moral and intellectual solidarity. UNESCO aims "to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among the nations through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations."

Since it was founded in 1945, UNESCO has consistently integrated philosophy in one form or another into its operations. However, the increasingly urgent need to restore philosophy to its rightful place in Western society has led UNESCO to expand its action in this area. In 1995, the international organization established the Philosophy Forum, in order to unite the philosophies of various nationalities around a common focus.

Then, to highlight the fact that "the very existence of UNESCO, its underlying tasks and its ideals of culture and peace are linked to the universal quest of the philosophical spirit," UNESCO inaugurated Philosophy Day, indicating that "the idea of universalism should inform this celebration," which takes place every third Thursday of November.

In 2002, the first Philosophy Day was presented as a [translation] "celebration of wisdom and reflection, bringing together people of all ages around this school of freedom that is philosophy" (1).

In 2003, during the opening address for the second Philosophy Day, Moufida Goucha spoke of the privilege of listening to those who, laying claim to the title of "philosopher," have decided [translation] "to give thought as much space as it needs" (2).

It is therefore UNESCO's aim to place philosophical thought at the heart of contemporary civilizing action, because [translation] "[...] Alas, we have also seen this past year, in a climate of threat, dialogue rejected, dialogue forbidden, while the human rights situation has become critical, if not very grave, in many countries" (3).

Philosophy and philosophers are therefore present within UNESCO House [translation] "as a source of momentum, inspiration and conviction so that the organization can achieve its goals to the fullest" (4).

It is therefore clear that there is an overwhelming need to restore philosophy to its rightful place in Western civilization, in the hope that it will work quickly as an antidote to the flood of barbarity around the world and possibly stimulate a rebirth of humanism.


(1) Report on the first UNESCO Philosophy Day, November 21, 2002

(2 and 3) Moufida Goucha, Chief, Philosophy and Human Sciences Section. Opening address for the second UNESCO Philosophy Day, 2003

(4) Philosophy at UNESCO: Past and Present - Social and Human Sciences Program

(5) Patrice Vermeren, La philosophie saisie par l'UNESCO [Philosophy at UNESCO] - there does not appear to be any specific quote(s) from this document in the above text