Poincaré stands for free enquiry, daring to be different and critical thinking. It defines the VUB DNA, so for our university this 'P' is as important as the P's of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. Poincaré also coloured the second week of the The World Needs You film festival.
The symbol of critical thinking and meanwhile the mascot of the VUB, is The Thinker that welcomes you in all its glory on the campus in Etterbeek. Artist Willy Van Den Dorpe describes 'his denkerke' as someone who fights for freedom everywhere and in all states.
But what exactly is critical thinking? Programme director of the School of Thinking Marta Lenartowicz explains in philosophical detail how the thinking process works. How you can deal with those thoughts better and more critically, open your mind to other opinions and think first before you judge.
Train your brain
Our students also like to break their brains, and not just when studying. One of the most important objectives of Studiekring Vrij Onderzoek (VO) is not only to do some critical thinking yourself, but also to encourage fellow students to do so.
Films are equally good at inciting people to think, each in a different way. Like the three protagonists in 'Bombay Beach'. And what if you looked at the world upside down, like in 'Downside Up'? In 'No Offense', we clashed with censorship in a cartoonish way, and saw how animation can beautifully portray the importance of freedom of speech and press.
The open road
Thinking about the meaning of life is only human. The road to the unknown is at least as fascinating as the road that leads to a specific goal. Because not being sure of your purpose does not mean that you cannot be committed in life. Critical thinker and open-minded person Nina Brigou shows how the path that is not marked out is also worth exploring.
Lisa Ahenkona is another person who takes every opportunity that comes her way. As a VUB researcher, she is working on a visual participatory project in which people with an immigrant background reflect on their own image. As a Brussels native, she seeks to connect with the people with whom she shares her city.
Brussels is bustling with people and stories. In 'Chez Jolie Coiffure', we look at the world through the eyes of the Cameroonian hairdresser Sabine. And although you stay in the hair salon in the Brussels neighbourhood of Matonge for the entire film, it makes you think far beyond that small space.
Everything is open, but one thing is certain: we will never stop thinking.
Are you also looking for a purpose? And is doing your own thing, or thinking critically, also your thing? Then take a look at The World Needs You at Poincaré.