The aim of this project is to launch and develop a Network for Exploring World Philosophies. The central aim of the network itself is to bring together all those with an interest in world philosophies, broadly construed, so that we can coordinate and enhance our research and teaching activities, quickly make connections when funding opportunities arise, and together build a set of resources to foster the study of world philosophies at a crucial point in history. We find ourselves in a period of unprecedented crisis and conflict – facing ethnic, political and religious-based violence and terrorism, a pandemic, and ecological disaster – and it is more urgent than ever to understand the differences between philosophies and their cultural contexts in the hope of finding ways forward. The key move in all of this is to encourage greater openness to the full range of world philosophies.