The initiative brings together students and teachers from secondary schools in the district to celebrate philosophy and reflect on the importance of imagination for human beings
On November 19, 2026, the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences (FFCS) of the Catholic University of Portugal will mark another edition of World Philosophy Day, promoted by UNESCO, with an initiative dedicated to the theme of Imagination. As in previous years, the FFCS will once again welcome students and teachers from secondary schools in the district, providing a morning of reflection, discovery, and conviviality centered around Philosophy and its relevance to understanding humankind and the world.
Since the creation of this event by UNESCO, the FFCS has regularly participated in its celebration, promoting contact between high school students and philosophical thought and encouraging dialogue, questioning, and critical reflection.
This year's edition will begin at 9:30 am with the welcoming of participants, followed at 9:45 am by the opening session, which will feature the presence of Prof. Bruno Nobre SJ, director of FFCS, and João Carlos Onofre Pinto SJ, coordinator of the Philosophy degree program.
At 10:00 AM, the program continues with the presentation "Imagination: What Does the Rainbow Sound Like?", presented by Professor Artur Ilharco Galvão, who will invite participants to explore the role of imagination and its possibilities as a fundamental dimension of human experience.
At 10:20 AM, students will proceed to five thematic spaces, each with a coordinator responsible for promoting the proposed activities:
- Philosopher’s Corner, coordinated by Prof. Cláudio Carvalho;
- Tech Corner, coordinated by Prof. João Carlos Onofre Pinto SJ;
- Fit Corner, coordinated by Prof. Alexandra Galvão;
- Games Corner, coordinated by Prof. Luísa Magalhães;
- Logical Corner, coordinated by Prof. Arthur Ilharco Galvão.
Students enrolled in the Philosophy degree program at FFCS will also play an active role in the initiative, collaborating in the dynamism of the various spaces and interacting directly with high school students. This participation aims to promote a genuine exchange of experiences, ideas, and perspectives among students of different educational levels, valuing the sharing of knowledge and dialogue as fundamental elements of philosophical learning.
The five thematic spaces will provide different experiences of participation, learning, and interaction in a dynamic and stimulating environment, exploring Philosophy through diverse activities and different ways of thinking, experimenting, and discovering.
The activity will end at 12:30 PM, concluding a morning dedicated to reflection, creativity, and the sharing of experiences between the FFCS academic community and high school students.
With this initiative, FFCS intends to celebrate Philosophy as a privileged space for thought, creativity, and discovery, highlighting its importance in the integral formation of the person and in the capacity to question, interpret, and transform reality.
It is expected, therefore, that the morning will be lively and engaging, marked by the enthusiasm of young people, the sharing of ideas, and the celebration of Philosophy as an essential dimension of human life.
