Over the weekend, Liverpool became a vibrant hub of humanist ideas and activism as 500 people from all corners of the UK gathered for Humanists UK’s largest Convention in six years – Humanists UK 2023.
The event was an opportunity for like-minded individuals to connect, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and explore the many ways in which humanists are actively working towards a better society and supporting non-religious people to lead happier, more ethical lives.
The weekend’s program featured an impressive lineup of entertainment, lectures, debates, and discussions. On Friday evening, the stage came alive with comedy from Robin Ince, Lee Peart, Kemah Bob, and Hannah Platt, who all skilfully shed light on the complexities of the human condition and humorously dissected the absurdities of modern life.
Kicking off a thought-provoking series of lectures on Saturday was Professor David Voas, a distinguished social scientist from University College London, who examined the shifting religion and belief demographics of the UK, to explore what society in the UK might look like – politically and socially – in the decades to come. Later, science communicator Zion Lights delved into the intricacies of energy policy history, spanning over five decades, and how misinformation concerning nuclear power has hindered crucial environmental reforms to this day. Elsewhere, Professor Chris French looked into the psychology of those who believe in the paranormal or who claim to have had supernatural experiences, and Humanists UK’s own Madeleine Goodall showcased the long history and deep footprint of organised humanism and humanist activism in Liverpool.
International human rights lawyer Susie Alegre captivated her audience with an engaging exploration of the consequences for artificial intelligence and data-driven programmatic advertising on human societies and human rights, critically analysing the moral implications posed by such powerful technologies. As the day progressed, delegates heard from a cross-party political panel on the key issues being driven forward by humanists in politics, and author Emily Kenway explored the hidden crisis in care in the UK in conversation with Humanists UK’s own Director of Humanist Care, Clare Elcombe Webber. Evolutionary biologist Professor Robin Dunbar gave a whistlestop tour of ancient religions, their immense diversity of forms, and those psychological and physiological aspects of human evolution which underpin our species’ longing for community and ceremony, which Robin argued has manifested most prominently in the form of religion.
The sun shone down on our Convention in Liverpool for the final time on Sunday morning, when historian and Humanists UK patron S I Martin delivered his talk on ‘A history of black freethought’. Martin emphasised that the history of black freethought has often been overshadowed by the dominant narrative of black Christianity, which has meant that influential figures such as Robert Wedderburn, the radical Jamaican-born abolitionist who courageously challenged social norms and even faced arrest for blasphemy in the 18th century, have not been prominently remembered in the story of abolition.
Humanists UK President Dr Adam Rutherford lectured on the complex nature of human inheritance. From Neanderthals to Denisovans, he unravelled the complex tapestry of our genetic ancestry, dispelling myths surrounding family or racial ‘bloodlines’. He emphasised that our family trees are not confined to the limits of genealogy charts; they encompass the entirety of humanity. ‘My humanism is based on science’, he said. ‘We are all related as a species, and attempts to separate us demonstrate an ignorance of our evolution.’
The penultimate lecture of the Convention was an enlightening and thought-provoking session delivered by Professor Richard Wilkinson and Professor Kate Pickett, whose compelling blend of empirical evidence and stirring narratives left a lasting impression on the audience, igniting a collective determination to address the systemic issues perpetuated by income inequality in society and how these blight humanist aspirations for a better world. In the closing session, attendees heard from Chief Executive Andrew Copson and President Adam Rutherford, as award-winning journalist Samira Ahmed quizzed them about the future of humanism in the UK and opportunities for Humanists UK to advance its mission in the coming months.
Humanist activism and social concerns cut across the whole weekend. Climate change and action to address pending environmental disaster was a recurring theme across many talks. The Humanist Climate Action network was prominently visible throughout the weekend, with volunteers encouraging delegates to participate in the Big Green Week for the Climate Coalition. At the AGM which capped the weekend on Sunday, members voted to reaffirm Humanists UK’s support for Humanist Climate Action and the environmental commitments it made in the Reykjavik Declaration. They also voted unanimously to reaffirm Humanists UK’s calls to decriminalise abortion in an emergency motion spurred on by the recent case of a woman in England who, under a Victorian-era law, faced a potentially harsh criminal sentence on Monday for abortion.
Humanists UK announced that the Humanists UK Convention 2024 would take place in Cardiff, Wales.
Notes
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 110,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.
Sessions were recorded and will make their way onto the Humanists UK YouTube channel in the coming weeks and months.