On Thursday, November 21st 2019, New Acropolis Portugal commemorated World Philosophy Day at the Municipal Library of Oeiras auditorium. This year, the occasion was dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi on the 150th anniversary of his birth. The event titled Gandhi: The Strength of the Roots and was supported by the City Council of Oeiras, the National Commission of UNESCO and the Hindu Community of Portugal.
The session began with Jorge Barreto Xavier, former Secretary of State for Culture and current Municipal Director of the City Council of Oeiras, who recalled Gandhi’s legacy and his spiritual condition as leader. This was followed with a speech by the Honorable Ambassador of India in Portugal, Nandini Singla, who shared a deeply humanistic message highlighting Gandhi as an inspiring figure who considered the universe governed by a moral law, superior to any other physical or material strength. Moderated by Rafael Pereira, a member of New Acropolis, this was followed by the message of the Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, which was read by Fatima Claudino, head of the UNESCO National Commission in Portugal.
Director of New Acropolis in Portugal, José Carlos Fernández, commenced the second part of the event focusing on Gandhi and Self-knowledge, in which he referred to Gandhi as a manifestation of the true spirit of volunteering and a seeker of the meaning of life.
Helena Marujo, Creator and Executive Coordinator of the UNESCO Chair in Education for Sustainable Global Peace at the University of Lisbon, presented a talk on Positive Peace and Collective Virtues: The example of Gandhi in which he highlighted Gandhi’s thought and example.
The event ended with a presentation on Gandhi and the Wisdom of Ancient India by Paulo Loução, Director of New Acropolis in Oeiras-Cascais. The importance of the ancient concepts of India as a foundation for Gandhi’s actions and ideals were emphasized.