Explore Humanism’s Collective Future
The AHA's 82nd Annual Conference takes place May 5-7, 2023 in Denver, CO. Last week, the American Humanist Association (AHA) announced the exciting line-up of speakers that await you at AHA’s 82nd Annual Conference: Crossroads and Collective Futures.
Over the next several weeks, we’ll be shining the spotlight on some of these exciting speakers and performers, to give you a peak at what you can expect when you join us for #AHACON23 at the Renaissance Denver Central Park in Denver, CO.
Drew Bekius, humanist speaker, writer, and coach, will dive right into the heart of what’s driving the future of humanism with his session, The Human in Humanism: Finding a Home for Social Justice and Other Values that Help Instead of Harm. He’ll explore questions including: what are the values that drive humanism? To what extent are concerns like social justice core to our work in the world? And how might we best position humanism and humanists for greater impact in the years ahead? He’ll discuss these questions and more in an energy-forward talk that will challenge each of us to breathe deeply, dream daringly, and press for the boldest and brightest of tangible outcomes.
Members of the Association of Secular Elected Officials will examine how we can impact our world from another perspective in their panel, Don’t Cheer, Vote! Responding to Christian Nationalism by Promoting Openly Secular Candidates and Elected Officials. Kristiana De Leon (City Council in Black Diamond, WA), Leonard Presberg (Fayette County School Board), and Danny Choriki (Billings, MT City Council) will share their experiences as atheist elected officials and why it is critical for humanists and other secular people to vote intentionally and also to serve in elected office as openly secular individuals—especially under the ongoing shadow of Christian Nationalism.
Tiffany Ho, Executive Director of GO Humanity, will moderate a panel of grassroots humanist leaders to highlight the importance of Secular Service, just in time for the annual Secular Week of Service. Tif and the panelists will offer advice and models for humanists and chapters that want to make a concrete difference in their local communities by taking on service projects of all kinds.
Humanist Chaplains Kathleen Rudoff and Anthony Cruz Pantojas, explore the importance of focusing on values rather than beliefs when they discuss moving toward Multifaith Engagement. What can humanists gain when we work with multifaith and interfaith groups that share our progressive values? How can humanists take the lead in building these working relationships that can change our communities for the better? We can bring about real social change when our work focuses on shared values.
This is just a taste of the many brilliant speakers presenting at AHACON23. And, in addition to the speakers, panels, and presentations, Conference participants will enjoy live performances and art events, engage further with our exhibitors, and have plenty of chances to gather and network.
Register now to be a part of the excitement at this crossroad to our collective humanist future. And don’t forget to make your hotel reservations—if you book as an AHACON attendee, you’ll get a rate of just $139/night.
See you in Denver!