The Biannual Award for Excellence in Interpreting Philosophy for Children

Every year scholars and practioners engaged in the field of philosophical inquiry with children and youth contribute to the growing body of knowledge that sustains and challenges our work in this field. Exploring the connection between theory and practice, between philosophical practice and life, these scholars (both theoreticians and practioners) contribute to the revitalization of Philosophy for Children community worldwide. As with any educational movement, our strength and capacity to grow rests not only on our work in the field, but on our capacity to report on significant practices, raise questions, seek connections, develop theories, investigate assumptions and assess our educational practice.

Starting with 2007, every second year, in conjunction with the Biannual ICPIC Conference, the ICPIC community offers an award of US$200 to the winning submission in an essay competition. The Aim or purpose of the competition is to encourage emerging scholars and practitioners in philosophical inquiry with children to articulate new or renewed visions of the nature and significance of doing philosophy with children and to acknowledge their role and efforts in this regard. The award is granted to the best essay among those submitted on the nature and significance of doing philosophical inquiry with children and the winning entry is published on the ICPIC site and in one of the leading Philosophy for Children journals, Thinking. ICPIC sees this as one important way it can acknowledge and partner in this important work within the larger world of Philosophy for Children.

Essays for the 2007 competition must be submitted electronically in a Rich Text Format (RTF) by February 28, 2007 to Dale Cannon , Director of the Award Committee, with a copy to Roger Sutcliffe , President of ICPIC. Essays should be submitted in the applicant's native language and, if possible, accompanied by a translation into English (over which the applicant will hopefully have some control). If an English translation cannot be provided, the Committee in concert with the ICPIC Executive Committee will endeavor to secure a translation for purposes of review by Committee members who are not able to read the paper in its original language. Essays of an empirical research nature will be eligible, so long as they address the stated aim of the Award. Essays already published or accepted for publication will not be eligible. Essays are limited to a maximum of 10,000 words. There is no age limitation and jointly written essays are welcome. Preference will be given to emerging scholars or practitioners in philosophy with children (actively participating in philosophy with children for 5 years or less).

Current members of the ICPIC Award Committee are: Zosimo Lee, University of the Phillipines at Quezon City, Maria Santi, CIREP Educativa sul Pensiero at Rovigo Italy, Wendy Turgeon, St. Joseph's College at Patchogue, NY, Walter Kohan, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Jen Glaser, Mandel Leadership Institute, Jerusalem, Israel, and Dale Cannon, Western Oregon University.