In a major stride for ethics education in Malta, two key events showcased the integration of Philosophy for Children (P4C) into the national educational landscape. Organised by the University of Malta’s Platform for the Teaching of Ethics in Schools, these events convened local and international educators and researchers to explore how philosophical inquiry can nurture ethical awareness, empathy, and critical thinking in young learners.
The first event—a public lecture held on the 23 May 2025 at the University of Malta —opened with remarks from Dr Karen Mugliett, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Education, and was chaired by Mr Roger Tirazona, Head of Department for Ethics (MEYR) . The lecture featured three insightful presentations, each highlighting a different facet of P4C’s transformative potential.
Dr Lucianne Zammit, in her talk Cultivating Ethical Minds: The Role of P4C in Malta’s Classrooms, discussed how the Philosophy for Children approach is embedded within Ethics education to support the development of moral reasoning and empathy. Dr Erika Galea’s Bridging Minds examined the intersection of educational neuroscience and P4C, offering a compelling case for the alignment of cognitive development and philosophical thinking. Dr Grace Lockrobin’s presentation, Beyond the Moral of the Story, focused on narrative-based approaches that use stories as a foundation for ethical reflection and classroom dialogue. Collectively, these contributions reinforced the view that P4C is not simply a pedagogical technique but a powerful framework for cultivating students’ ethical imagination—now a central aim of Malta’s Ethics programme.
The lecture featured three insightful presentations, each highlighting a different facet of P4C’s transformative potential.
Dr Lucianne Zammit, in her talk Cultivating Ethical Minds: The Role of P4C in Malta’s Classrooms, discussed how the Philosophy for Children approach is embedded within Ethics education to support the development of moral reasoning and empathy. Dr Erika Galea’s Bridging Minds examined the intersection of educational neuroscience and P4C, offering a compelling case for the alignment of cognitive development and philosophical thinking. Dr Grace Lockrobin’s presentation, Beyond the Moral of the Story, focused on narrative-based approaches that use stories as a foundation for ethical reflection and classroom dialogue. Collectively, these contributions reinforced the view that P4C is not simply a pedagogical technique but a powerful framework for cultivating students’ ethical imagination—now a central aim of Malta’s Ethics programme.
The second event, held on 24 and 25 May 2025 at San Andrea School in Mġarr, attracted international attention to Malta’s growing role in the global P4C community. Organised in collaboration with SOPHIA—the European Foundation for the Advancement of Doing Philosophy with Children—the network meeting, Rage Against the Machine?, tackled timely and complex questions about the impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on philosophy education.
This hybrid-format event brought together a diverse group of local and international participants, fostering vibrant dialogue across borders. Attendees explored how P4C can serve as a critical lens through which students engage with the ethical dilemmas and societal shifts brought about by rapid technological change. Discussions centred on how philosophical methods can help young people critically assess the role of AI in their lives, equipping them with the tools to navigate an increasingly digital and ethically fraught world.
Together, these events signal Malta’s strong and growing commitment to embedding ethics and philosophical inquiry at the heart of education. By advancing the integration of P4C within the curriculum, Maltese educators are not only enriching students’ learning experiences, but also helping shape a new generation of thoughtful, compassionate, and critically engaged citizens.
Dr Lucianne Zammit is a lecturer within the Faculty of Education, University of Malta. She coordinates the Ethics programme, which consists of the Postgraduate Certificate for the Teaching of Ethics in Schools and the Masters in Teaching and Learning (Ethics). She is also the Chairperson of the Platform for the Teaching of Ethics in Schools.
