2024 Humanism in Action Conference
Join us on Saturday, November 16 for a historic gathering of passionate secular activists from across southern Ontario. This event is an inspirational experience, where ideas, dreams, hopes, and practical strategies come together to bolster advocacy efforts. Unlike other secular conferences in Canada, this milestone event offers a distinctly Canadian perspective on Humanist values and their impact on shaping a better future for us all.
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Stellar Roster of Canadian Humanist Speakers
Featuring Humanist voices from across the province, our experienced speakers are eager to inspire and empower attendees with the ideas that fuel their work.
Insightful Presentations
Dynamic speakers will explore topics that matter most to Canadians, offering fresh insights and feasible solutions to the challenges we face.
Interactive and Engaging Discussions
Engage in conversations designed to spark collaboration, ignite new ideas, and foster teamwork. Together, we can explore how to advance secularism, human rights, and social justice in our communities.
Networking Opportunities
Build meaningful connections with like-minded individuals and organizations who share your vision for a more ethical, equitable, and caring Canadian society.
FEATURED SPEAKERS & SESSIONS
DR. CHRISTOPHER diCARLO
Advancing the Imperative for Critical Thinking
Learn how to sharpen your reasoning skills and approach conversations with empathy, fairness, and objectivity.
DOUG THOMAS
Secular Activism – Strategies for Influencing Governments
Gain actionable insights on how to call for secular reforms to laws and public policies.
MAUREEN BULBROOK & CHRISTINA NINHAM
Advocacy for Indigenous Rights Through a Humanist Lens
A powerful dialogue to illuminate how advocating for Indigenous rights is a moral imperative and deeply resonant with Humanist values.
LESLIE ROSENBLOOD
The Cost of Religion in Canada – Dollars and Sense
An eye-opening exploration of the financial and political influence that religion has on Canadian society.
Following the presentations, join us for a moderated panel discussion where your questions, ideas, and insights will take centre stage in a vibrant and collaborative exchange with the speakers.
PLUS… Enjoy delicious meals and refreshments throughout the day to keep you revitalized. Continental breakfast and buffet lunch with vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items will be provided.
This conference is much more than just a friendly Humanist gathering—it is a catalyst for action and an opportunity to be part of something transformative and truly worthwhile. Together with Secular Connexion Séculière (SCS), the Society of Freethinkers (SOFREE) and Humanist Canada, we can ignite the enthusiasm and collaboration needed to realize the vision of a more ethical, equitable, healthy, and caring Canada.
Click on: 2024 HUMANIST CONFERENCE to learn about this exciting inaugural event hosted by SOFREE and SCS.
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September 8 Guelph Brunch with Guest Speaker
August 16 Hamilton Pub Night with Guest Speaker
7:00 pm at Ye Olde Squire pub on Upper James Street in Hamilton.
Enjoy the warm ambiance, traditional British pub fare, refreshing drinks, and the opportunity to connect with fellow Humanists. Whether you are a long-time SOFREE member, or new to the Humanist community, we welcome you to share in our spirit of camaraderie.
Our guest speaker is Leslie Rosenblood, Secular Chair of the Centre for Inquiry Canada, and strong supporter of a single public education system in Ontario. Leslie will lead a thought-provoking discussion on the history of separate schools in Ontario, reveal several myths and common misunderstandings, identify current practices that are problematic and what we can do to address them.
Background to the talk:
In 1999, the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) made a powerful statement, highlighting the discriminatory nature of Ontario’s public funding of Catholic schools—i.e., granting special privileges to one religious group, while denying funding to other faith-based schools. The UNHRC advised that Ontario either provide financial support for all religious schools in the province or cease funding to Catholic schools entirely. Ontario refused to comply. Today, every Ontario household falls within the boundaries of four different school boards, all fully funded by the provincial government – an English public school board, a French public school board, an English Catholic school board, and a French Catholic school board.
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Meet & Greet at 2024 K-W Multicultural Festival
A celebration of culture and community! This event is a great opportunity to connect with friends, promote SOFREE’s presence, and enjoy delicious and diverse foods, live music, and captivating dance performances.
The Society of Freethinkers and Secular Connexion Séculière are delighted to be sharing a booth again. Come say hi, enjoy the fun, and help us make a difference!
Here is the link to the 2024 KWMF website: https://www.kwmf.ca
Festival days and times: JUNE 22: 12:00 – 8:00 p.m. and JUNE 23: 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Discover more at: https://sofree.ca
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Meet & Greet at 2024 Guelph Multicultural Festival
SOFREE and Secular Connexion Séculière are delighted to share a booth at the Guelph Multicultural Festival, taking place in Riverside Park. This is a great opportunity to promote our presence in the community, spend time with friends, meet prospective members, and enjoy the amazing stage shows, tasty treats, and fun atmosphere!
Drop by our booth and say hello!
Guelph Festival days and times:
JUNE 7: 5:00 p.m.–11:00 pm; JUNE 8: 11:00 am-11:00 pm; JUNE 9: 11:00 am-6:00 pm
2023 World Religions Conference
SOFREE’s presentation: Healing a Polarized World – The Humanist Perspective
Click here to view the conference video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uSc9Fv5hNo
For over 15 years, SOFREE has been an active presence at the World Religions Conference (WRC) to speak to topics from secular perspectives. At this event, we Humanists get the opportunity to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, answer questions, dispel myths and misconceptions about secularism, atheism, and Humanism, and spark interest in rational thought. Our keynote speaker is SOFREE’s president, Katherine Dimou, a longtime licensed Humanist Officiant and past Humanist Canada Board Director. We will also read Humanist poetry aligned with the conference theme. Come by our table for Humanist goodies and conversation!
Register in advance to attend in person. Here is the link: https://www.worldreligionsconference.org/index.php/register-to-attend-2.
The event will also be streamed live on the WRC website at: www.worldreligionsconference.org
The World Religions Conference (WRC) is a multi-faith and multi-cultural event, uniting individuals from major world religions and philosophical backgrounds. The conference promotes the exchange of ideas on thought-provoking and relevant topics, and offers a unique platform where representatives from various traditions can share their views on how to approach a chosen theme. The ultimate goal of the conference is to foster a better understanding of diverse perspectives and inspire harmony, acceptance, and cooperation.
The 2023 WRC includes complimentary admission, food, coffee, tea, soft drinks, water, and parking. Speakers for 2023 represent these religions or philosophies: Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Indigenous Spirituality, and Humanism (Atheists and Agnostics).