The Federation of Asia-Pacific Philosophy in Schools Associations (FAPSA) is a professional non-profit organisation promoting philosophy in schools and representing the interests of its affiliated associations across Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore. The Federation’s primary purpose is to facilitate the educational aims and objectives of these affiliated associations.
Our Structure
FAPSA is a community of peers who select a small executive every two years to run our daily affairs.
The FAPSA Council includes representatives from each of the affiliated associations.
We meet each year in person (when possible) at our annual conference, where we also undertake our AGM. We also meet several times a year online to work on shared projects.
Any association, group or organisation established for the purpose of promoting philosophy in schools may seek to be recognised by the FAPSA Council as an affiliated association.
Aims and objectives
FAPSA aims to assist its affiliated associations to promote the widespread practice of critical, creative and reflective thinking by supporting the teaching of philosophy in schools.
Among the Federation’s objectives are:
- to seek support from educational institutions for enriching and expanding philosophy education in schools in Australasia;
- to promote collaborative, inquiry-based learning through philosophy in the classroom, including through the ‘community of inquiry’ pedagogy;
- to advocate in matters of national and international interest which impact on philosophy education in schools; and
- to seek funding for the development of classroom resources and for educational research about the theory and practice of philosophy in schools.
A complete list of the Federations’ aims and objectives is set out in its 2021 Constitution.
To achieve its objectives, FAPSA provides professional development and continuing support for teachers; maintains a professional network by organising meetings, online discussion forums and conferences; and promotes the activities of affiliated associations in national and international forums.
FAPSA also collaborates with the Australasian Association of Philosophy (AAP) which is the professional organisation of academic philosophers in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. The purpose of the AAP is to promote the study of philosophy in Australasia and to co-ordinate professional activities.
International impact
FAPSA has links to international philosophy in schools organisations including the International Council of Philosophical Inquiry with Children (ICPIC), an organisation founded by philosophers and teachers interested in engaging school students in philosophical inquiry. (Download the ICPIC President’s Report, 2009 – 2011.)
FAPSA also has links to international philosophy of education societies such as the Philosophy of Education Society of Australasia (PESA) https://pesa.org.au/
Some of the Federation’s members are active in the promotion of philosophy in education through organisations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).