New Acropolis celebrated World Philosophy Day 2024, with the overall theme “Unity through diversity” in Brazil. In addition to the lectures, the program also included artistic presentations, workshops and exhibitions, allowing students and visitors to participate in the events and reflect on the role of Philosophy in the search for Unity.

Professor Luis Carlos Marques Fonseca, director of New Acropolis Brazil North Area, gave a lecture entitled “Dialogue as a Tool for Unity” at the ADUnB Cultural Center (Brasília), addressing the importance of philosophical dialogue as an essential basis for harmonious coexistence among human beings. The event also featured a lecture entitled “Paths to Peaceful Coexistence” by Professor Lúcia Helena Galvão. The lecturer gave the audience reflections on concepts and values ​​that serve as a basis for respecting human needs and dignity.

This theme “Dialogue as a Tool for Unity” was also presented to the public in several other cities. For example, in Rio Verde (GO), Professor Lívia Ataíde gave a lecture. In Mato Grosso, the theme was also presented in Barra do Garças, Campo Novo do Parecis, Cuiabá, Rondonópolis and Sorriso.

In the North of the country, the Public Defender’s Office Auditorium in Macapá (AP) hosted a lecture by Professor Ana Paula Brandão and an artistic appreciation of the life and work of Vivaldi. Likewise, Palmas (TO) and Porto Velho (RO) celebrated World Philosophy Day with the lecture “Dialogue as a Tool for Unity”. In addition, the capital of Rondônia also hosted a cultural event with an exhibition, musical performance and dance appreciation.

The Teatro Sesc Educacional Cidadania in Goiânia (GO) welcomed Professor Carlos Rangel to discuss the theme “The Art of Living Beyond Differences”. Professor Rangel was also in the city of Catalão, bringing the same theme to those present. In Anápolis, the lecture with Professor Jean César addressed “Values ​​of Great Civilizations for the Modern World”. In addition, it featured artistic presentations inspired by different cultures from around the world.

Continuing the Goiás program, Itumbiara had the lecture “Philosophical Bridges: Where Ideas Meet”. The school in Sinop, in Mato Grosso, promoted meetings throughout the week, addressing topics such as “The Art of Living” and “What it means to be human”. The municipality of Lucas do Rio Verde received the lecture “Philosophy and the Art of Living”, given by the school in Sorriso.

In Sobral (CE), the theme addressed was “Harmony of differences”. Juazeiro do Norte (CE) hosted the exhibition “Art through differences” and, finally, closed the program with the lecture “The Art of Living Beyond Differences”, given by Professor Leandro Aguiar.

João Pessoa had a week of programming. Visitors were able to enjoy lectures from Monday to Friday with themes such as “The art of living beyond differences” and “The search for wisdom: Philosophy around the world”. The closing was with the theme “A world without barriers”.

Pará had two philosophical cafés. In Ananindeua, the theme was “The Wisdom of Indian tales”. In Belém, “The search for wisdom: Philosophy around the world”. The lecture “The art of living beyond differences” closed the program.

In Manaus (AM), volunteers from New Acropolis organized a full day of activities. The program began with a clean-up of an area on the banks of the Rio Negro, which was supported by the Municipal Department of Public Cleaning (SEMULSP). 566 kg of waste were collected. The day continued with the workshop “The 4 temperaments and the construction of ourselves”, where attendees received keys to self-knowledge and how to deal with others.

Finally, the keynote lecture in the capital of Amazonas had the theme “Differences in Harmony” and was preceded by artistic presentations. Professor Carina Maia emphasized that differences are part of Nature and that our lack of understanding generates states of difficulty and intolerance.

Following the same idea of ​​seeking harmony in our relationships, Boa Vista (RR) was honored with the lecture “Paths to peaceful coexistence”. In Teresina (PI), SESC Cajuína hosted the lecture “Unity through diversity”. Finally, “The myth of King Arthur and the search for Unity” was the theme chosen to close the program.

The Federal District also had lectures on Courtesy, at the New Acropolis school in Águas Claras; The myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, at the schools located in Gama and Valparaíso; and Coexistence, in Asa Sul. Although the themes were diverse, they had a common thread: the search for Unity.

In Natal (RN), the schools began their program with teacher Lúcia Helena Galvão. The lecture provided practical and in-depth lessons to help us learn “How to Live a Perfect Day”. The program continued on the following days at the schools in New Acropolis. Ponta Negra hosted the philosophical café “A Greco-Roman Experience”. While in Tirol, the theme addressed was “The Importance of Myths and Symbols for Life”. In Morro Branco, the program included “A Walk Through Eastern Philosophy”. In the North Zone, the theme discussed was “The Greatness of Ancient Egypt”.

Still in Rio Grande do Norte, Nova Parnamirim also hosted a program on “The Greatness of Ancient Egypt”. In turn, Assú had a philosophical café on “The Importance of Myths and Symbols for Life”. The celebrations ended in the state in Mossoró, with artistic presentations and a lecture on the theme “The Search for Wisdom: Philosophy Around the World”. In Mato Grosso, Sorriso also hosted a lecture on the important civilization, with the theme “The Enigmas of Ancient Egypt”.

The celebration in Pernambuco began with the lecture “How to Live a Perfect Day”, given by Professor Lúcia Helena Galvão, in Recife. In addition, the city also hosted a lecture on the theme “Unity – The Principle Behind All Things”, given by Professor Normando Pignataro. Garanhuns and Petrolina hosted, respectively, the lectures “The Search for Unity in the Light of the Book The Ramayana” and “The Need for the Sacred in Different Civilizations”.

The New Acropolis in Fortaleza welcomed over 2,000 people to the Ceará Events Center for the lecture “How to overcome your inner limits.” Given by Professor Lúcia Helena Galvão, the theme was based on the book of the same name by Steven Pressfield. Professor Lúcia highlighted the importance of thought, action and philosophy as tools for uniting cultures, giving meaning to life and forming individuals with values ​​in an increasingly diverse world.

The celebration in Fortaleza began with a play performed by students from the Janos Philosophy Program for young people. The presentation, open to the school’s students, took place at the Dionísio Torres headquarters and opened the program in the state.

In São Luis do Maranhão, the program took place throughout the week, with lectures on the Myth of King Arthur, Plato’s Republic, Union and Love, culminating in the keynote lecture “Universal Brotherhood: a key to overcoming contemporary challenges”.

Still in Paraíba, Campina Grande hosted the exhibition “Great Philosophers of Unity: Plato, Aristotle and Hypatia”. The program continued throughout the week with an artistic analysis of the works “School of Athens” and “The Death of Socrates” and the keynote lecture on the theme “Dialogue as a tool for understanding the other person’s point of view”.

UNESCO established World Philosophy Day in 2005 because it believes in the value of philosophy for the development of human thought in each culture and each individual, arguing that critical thinking helps to give meaning to life and to actions carried out in the international context.

Since then, the New Acropolis International Organization has celebrated World Philosophy Day in the more than 50 countries in which it operates by promoting dialogues, lectures, exhibitions, panels and various events. This celebration is always held with the participation and support of various institutions, such as universities, associations and international organizations. And in 2024, the common motto chosen was “Unity through diversity”, which reflects the reality and aspiration of our international organization.

In Brazil, the date has also been celebrated by New Acropolis since its creation, currently in 132 units across the country, always with a central theme, which is addressed in lectures and exhibitions.

The central theme of World Philosophy Day 2024 was “Unity through diversity”. This theme develops the values ​​that come from our principles and mark the universal vocation of our movement. The New Acropolis International Organization has a 67-year history of promoting universal fraternity, without differences of ethnicity, gender, beliefs or others. Its presence in more than 50 countries on five continents is a living demonstration that it is possible to promote Unity beyond differences.

The philosophical eclecticism that is taught and lived at our school of Philosophy in the Classical Manner creates a meeting point in our approximately 500 locations around the world. Our effort to understand the diverse cultures and civilizations throughout history allows us to generate a connection with the deepest elements of the human experience.

The motto not only emphasizes the importance of recognizing, valuing and promoting Unity beyond cultural and individual differences, but also drives us to promote active collaboration with diverse institutions and people in our environment.