Unesco World Philosophy Day 2026

On UNESCO World Philosophy Day, November 19, the Knowledge, Technology and Innovation group in cooperation with the Philosophy group, organize the annual public UNESCO lecture. 

The public lecture will be provided by dr. Beatrice Okyere-Manu, entitled “From the Fireside to the Algorithm: Oral Tradition, Generative AI, and African Relational Ethics”.
Dr. Beatrice Okyere-Manu is Associate Professor of Applied Ethics in the School of Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

The tentative program is as follows:
11:30 – 11:40 Opening by prof. Joost de Laat 
11:40 – 12:40 Lecture by Prof Beatrice Okyere-Manu “From the Fireside to the Algorithm: Oral Tradition, Generative AI, and African Relational Ethics” 
12:40 – 12:55 Interaction with the audience  
12:55 – 13:00 Closing  
13:00 – 14:00 Coffee/tea with participants

Participation is free of charge, but registration for online participation is required.

The public lecture is under the patronage of UNESCO Netherlands Commission.
The following partnering institutions are co-organising the public lecture: 

• Leiden Universiteit (African Studies Center)
• Stellenbosch University, South Africa (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)
• University of Ghana
• University of KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa 
• University of South Africa, South Africa (UNISA)
• Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.
• Dominican University, Samonda, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
• Ladoke Akintola University of Science and Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
• Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo state, Nigeria.
• Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria.
• Western Delta University, Nigeria