World Philosophy Day will be celebrated tomorrow, November 17, in more than 50 cities around the world. China will mark the day with a one-day event at the Jilin University in Changchun, Jilin Province.

Organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), this year's event coincides with the beginning of UNESCO's 60th anniversary celebrations.

The Social and Human Sciences arm of UNESCO first launched Philosophy Day in 2002. By inscribing it in the calendar of annual events, UNESCO hopes to encourage as many partners as possible in as many countries as possible, to organize on one and the same day, activities and debates on philosophical issues.

Across the world tomorrow, discussions and discourses on philosophy and related topics will be in full swing.

And so, too, in China. Jilin University in Changchun, Jilin Province, will host the celebrations with events including a "philosophy café" meeting and symposiums.

Philosophy Day brings to the fore the professional work of experts, and encourages public participation in discussions. Young people are especially encouraged to engage in philosophical discourse.

In China, a recent survey showed that "Lao Tzu" is the most popular philosophical read. Further, to philosophy fans, Plato, Confucius and Socrates are their three most loved philosophers.

The first time World Philosophy Day was celebrated in China was in 2004 at the Renmin University of China in Beijing.

(China.org.cn by Li Xiaohua, November 16, 2005)