Launched in 2002, the maiden Unesco Philosophy Day was celebrated with over three thousand people at Unesco headquarters, where as many as sixty academic philosophers gathered from different regions of the world, while forty-two countries in various regions in the world celebrated the day chalking out elaborate programs.

Unesco's itineraries for the day include colloquia, discussions, roundtables, dialogues, seminars, radio & TV interviews, book fairs, art events, photography exhibitions, publications, café philo, philosophical symphony like jazz, theatrical performance, etc.

Philosophy Day 2006 sees its fifth celebration with Morocco being the host country. Of the roundtables to be held from November 15-18 in Rabat, some important ones are "Cultural Philosophy, Diversity and Communication," "Philosophy and the Obstacles to a Coalition of Cultures," "Citizenship and Human Rights," "Finding a Basis for a Just and Cooperative World Order," "What Can Philosophy Do in the Arab-Mediterranean World?" etc.

Unesco headquarters will also host several events between November 13-16. One of the conferences on the topic: "Philosophy as Educational and Cultural Practice: A New citizenship" will focus on the questions of new philosophical practices and particularly the teaching of philosophy to children.

Now, why philosophy day? Unesco interprets philosophy as a school for human solidarity which ennobles each individual and fosters the intellectual moral solidarity of mankind. The rationale of celebrating World Philosophy Day, according to Unesco, is to bring philosophy outside of its academic walls and show its relevance to the daily lives of everyone. For philosophical analysis and reflection are linked to the pathways of peace.

Unesco contends that philosophical analysis has so much to offer in facing the pernicious problems of the present world. The objective of this day, according to Unesco, is: "To encourage the peoples of the world to share between them their philosophical heritage and to open their daily reflections to new ideas, as well as to inspire a public debate between intellectuals and civil society on the challenges to which our societies are confronted today."

Thus, the chief aim at celebrating philosophy day by organizing multiple events and activities is to motivate the common mass to discover more about philosophical reflection, since logical-rational thinking helps people become tolerant to others and provides consistency in life, resolving critical issues arising from our common mistakes.

Unesco underscores the importance of philosophy because philosophical studies develop human intellectual tools to analyze and understand some key concepts such as justice, peace, dignity, democracy and freedom. Philosophy builds human capacities for independent thought and judgment, as it sharpens our intellect.

Philosophical exercise enhances human critical skills to understand and question the world and address its challenges, fostering reflections on values and principles. The major issues such as education for all, ethics of science and technology, human rights, democracy, cultural diversity, and so on, according to Unesco, have a solid philosophical foundation providing analytical and conceptual rigor.

Philosophical reflection means critical analysis of concepts, views, ideas, or beliefs. Philosophy lays the foundation of critical and creative thinking. Philosophy is an intellectual activity -- an attempt to understand the general principles and ideas that lie in the heart of our existence. To philosophise means to act rationally and to think clearly and accurately, as philosophical reflection aims at clarifying our thoughts, beliefs, doubts and questions arising from various aspects of life and the world. The clearer our thinking, the better able we will be to express our feeling, and the more accurate way of examining our thoughts and ideas.

We are living in what appears to be the age of globalization with new technologies. Despite the amazing advancement of science and technology, our globe is on the verge of collapse due to increased violence, intolerance, tension, alienation and agitation that seem to have no end.

Why? What have we done, or failed to do? We are rational, but not all men act rationally. And if this is the case with our nation-builders, political leaders and policy-makers the disaster is irreparable. In this backdrop, Unesco has touched the right chord by granting philosophy an International Day in a bid to promote and instil philosophical basis in our dialogues that spring from our ideas and views.

Our thoughts reflect in words and deeds which constitute our character. Philosophical study needs cerebration that helps us to critically examine our thoughts. If our mindset is normal in operation, our thought is rational in action. And if thoughts are rational, our acts, beliefs, views and opinions are just. Social justice is established and maintained by the rational activities of the people enlightened by philosophical wisdom. Thus, Socrates rightly says "knowledge is virtue."

It is my staunch conviction that the initiative that Unesco has undertaken is laudable in the sense that it is only through the individual's rational thinking blended with ethical values and scientific knowledge that a balanced development can be attained. Philosophers cannot sit idle while the whole world is in turmoil. Nor can they focus on such higher degree and research that will not have any practical impact on human life.

The challenge of the 21st century philosophy, therefore, poses: How can philosophy contribute in the present century to the well-being of human beings?

The primary role philosophers are required to play today is to show a rare forward-looking flare in the process of freeing knowledge from the shackles of blind faith, biased dogmas, and unfounded prejudices. Man is not born noble by virtue of blood but by moral excellence to be achieved through proper moral education in a healthy socio-economic condition. I suggest that moral and logical education courses be introduced at all levels of our educational system like those found in European countries. NCTB of Bangladesh may consider introducing a course like Philosophy for Children at the school level.

Similarly, our public and private institutes may launch minor or general courses in relation to philosophy and policy, rights and duties, practical and professional ethics, etc. In the West, universities run many centres like Centre for Applied Ethics to teach and train up people engaged in different professions. Moral philosophers with proven records of highest academic position and social dignity can conduct, guide and lead workshops and trainings for all professionals regardless of their academic background.

For ethico-logical areas of philosophy positively strengthen the capacities of human intellects and broaden the human minds which help to critically analyse and understand who we are, what we are doing and how we are doing -- a soul-searching way of curbing white-collar crime, the most deadly weapon of the powerfuls in a foremost corrupt country like Bangladesh.

Finally, the present world is in dire need of global peace based on global justice, which again depends upon global ethics. This necessitates a reshuffle of our beliefs, views, ideas and thoughts that will usher what philosophers are required today to redesign and reshape their course of action-plan to confront the challenges of the present century.

The author is Professor, Dept of Philosophy, Jahangirnagar University, and VP, Bangladesh Philosophical Association.