CAHS facilitates cooperation among independent humanistic associations to pursue projects and campaigns of wider interest or application than the local or particular focus of each separate organisation. CAHS also supports researching and developing the historic, philosophical, social, psychological, political, ethical and practical sources and potentials of Humanism. Projects might include seminars, think-tanks, articles and monographs, specialised journals, affinity groups, essay awards and the like.

What is Humanism?

Humanism is an approach to life which seeks happiness and fulfilment through care for others, and through realisation of each individual human being’s best potential. It is an outlook which seeks answers to questions of meaning and ethics in life from an exploration of human potential rather than from the supernatural. We believe that the solutions to the world’s problems lie in human thought, compassion, and the scientific method. The Amsterdam Declaration is considered to be the definitive statement of modern humanism.

The journal Australian Humanist is now available on the Humanists Australia website.

Fiona Patten MLC is Australian Humanist of the Year 2020

In recognition of her energetic work in the Victorian parliament, driving liberal reforms by appealing to reasoned evidence and using pragmatic consultation to overcome long-standing prejudice. 
Her achievements in leading debate and securing legislation on many issues of concern to Humanists, particularly end of life, abortion safety, sexual health and drugs of addiction, have been outstanding.

Now is the time for Just and Fair Economic Reform

The coronavirus pandemic has brought fresh challenges, and accelerated transformations that were already occurring in the economy. Bold changes, focussed on inclusion and economic justice were already long overdue, and can no longer be postponed. A reimagined social contract is needed. The three core elements of this new social contract are Jobs creation + Universal social dividend + Tax reform: JUsT.

#JUsTNow

Don’t Divide US

The Council of Australian Humanist Societies has been working with the Rationalist Society of Australia, the Atheist Foundation of Australia, the NSW Rationalist Association, Humanists Victoria, Sydney Atheists, the National Secular Lobby and the Australian Skeptics to launch #DontDivideUs, a campaign raising awareness about the dangerous and far-reaching consequences of the Government’s proposed Religious Discrimination Bill.

Read the Media Release here.

#DontDivideUs

Community In Adversity

Image courtesy CSIRO [CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)]

Image courtesy CSIRO [CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)]

During times of crisis like our summer of bushfires it is our sense of community and our love and compassion for other people that can help us carry on. The very act of reaching out to others can help us deal with our own feelings of grief and rage. If you’d like to know how you can help, this article from a survivor of the Black Saturday bushfires has some practical suggestions. Or just reach out to someone and ask them how they are doing.

And remember, even if you haven’t been directly affected, your feelings are valid and you deserve whatever kindness you can give yourself.

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Out Now: Humanist International's Freedom Of Thought Report
Out Now: Humanist International's Freedom Of Thought Report

Humanist International’s flagship report on the human rights of non-religious people is out now. You can find the entire report online, with a page for every country, at:

fot.humanists.international

Find out about Humanism here. Join a Humanist  Society. Follow us on Facebook

 

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Humanists International is Born
Humanists International is Born

Humanists International is the new name now used by the worldwide umbrella group of the world’s humanist movement. Visit Now !

International campaign to abolish nuclear weapons
International campaign to abolish nuclear weapons

The ALP has recently made a commitment to sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons should it attain government. Limiting the risk of nuclear war is crucial for the future of humanity and the Planet. CAHS supports the implementation of the treaty. Click here to find out more about CAHS support for the treaty and see the letter sent by CAHS President Lyndon Storey to ALP leader Bill Shorten

Support Humanists at Risk - Humanists International Campaign
Support Humanists at Risk - Humanists International Campaign

Join us in support of Gulalai Ismail, a prominent peace activist and human rights defender, who has had her passport confiscated, find out more and sign the petition for the Pakistan authorities to return her passport and respect her right to travel here

IHEU Freedom of Thought Report released
IHEU Freedom of Thought Report released

The IHEU’s 2018 Freedom of Thought Report has been released. It can be found here

One of the underlying messages of this report is that there are billions of people living in countries with compromised freedom of thought, expression and association. In particular there are untold millions of de facto humanists, atheists and otherwise religiously unaffiliated people living in countries where they face discrimination or outright persecution, both in society and at the hands of the state.

Auckland Declaration against the politics of Division
Auckland Declaration against the politics of Division

“The best ethical foundation from which to approach the problems of today’s world and the future of us all is to try to see humanity as one global community.” The foregoing is a quote from the Auckland Declaration against the politics of division, which as adopted at this years International and Humanist Union General Assembly. The Declaration offers a path to help us chart our way through today’s troubled time. More about the Declaration, and the General Assembly here