CONFERENCES AND PROJECTS

May 29th, 2011
At Sophia University

"Philosophy for Children", P and 4 C.
Presenters: Naoki Honma, Aya Takahashi

In the very first conference, there were presentations on several projects of P4C (Philosophy for Children) both domestic and overseas. Presentation commenced from reports on the presenters' visit to the P4C projects overseas, succeeding into another report on the domestic P4C projects in which the presenters have participated. The domestic projects were held at an elementary school and a university. The presenters provided pictures and videos of these occasions. Some reflective comments on the term "P4C" were equally raised, in the process of researchers' experience of direct participation, experiment, and investigation.

In the questions and answers section, the topic on presenters' domestic projects was heavily discussed. Many opinions were exchanged, concerning the materials that the presenters used to introduce dialogues (picture books and abstract paintings, for example) and tools to launch activities (community balls and the traffic lights).

More discussions revolved around the difficulties in bringing P4C into schools, as well as the position of philosophers when participating in P4C projects. These topics led to the further discussion, on the final goal of this research project and the ideal status of philosophy education.

December 17th and 18th, 2011
At Rikkyo University

December 17th, 2011

"Philosophy for Children" Classes held at Rikkyo Elementary School and Tamagawa Gakuen Elemenraty School
Presenter: Yosuke Tsuchiya
On Class Methods
Presenter: Tomoyuki Murase
Further Development of Philosophy Education in Primary Education
Presenter: Tetsuya Kono
Commentary from Professor Nobuko Morita (Japan Women's University)

On December 17th, Yosuke Tsuchiya from Ibaraki University reported in detail about the class of philosophy held in elementary schools in Tokyo. Tomoyuki Murase (Chiba University) and Tetsuya Kono (Rikkyo Univeristy) provided methodological and background information, and commentary on each case. Professor of Education Nobuko Morita from Japan Women's University provided additional comments.

In the questions and answers section, teachers from these elementary schools spoke about their experiences of these attempts. This allowed multifaceted examination and active discussions on the significances and difficulties of carrying out philosophy education in current educational environment.

December 18th, AM
Reports on ICPIC Korea

Overview on ICPIC
Presenters: Aya Takahashi, Naoki Honma
Overview on PCYNAP
Presenter: Mitsuhiko Toyota
Focusing on the TRAIN method
Presenter: Tomoyuki Murase

The participants of the International Council of Philosophical Inquiry with Children (ICPIC) presented their experiences from the conference held in Jinju, South Korea in the summer of 2011. Aya Takahashi (Osaka University) and Naoki Honma (Osaka University) provided the general information of the conference; as well as some comparative overviews with the precedent ICPIC conferences.

The report from Mitsuyo Toyoda (University of Hyogo) featured information on the Philosophy with Children and Youth Network for Asia and the Pacific (PCYNAP), currently developing in the Pan Pacific area. The presentation also introduced ways of participation from Japan.

Tomoyuki Murase (Chiba University)'s presentation consisted of several domestic case studies. The studied cases have put into practice the teaching methods presented in the ICPIC Korea research expositions.

December 18th, PM
Research Presentation

"Philosophy for Children" as Citizenship Education
Presenter: Hideki Mori

In this presentation, Hideki Mori from Hyogo University of Teacher Education closely examined the status and the significance of citizenship education. He mainly discussed the application of Philosophy for Children to citizenship education. In the questions and answers section, discussion was intense. The topic expanded from the definition of citizenship education to critical comments on applying elements of Philosophy for Children for citizenship education. The discussion also featured the significance of community, value of democracy, and the status of contemporary society.