SCANS Programme
November 2011 to May 2012

New venue

With the exception of December 18th, all of our meetings start at 7.30pm in the top floor room of the Unitarian Meeting House, on the A34 opposite Lidl (parking) and Travelodge, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1QS.

Monday Nov 7th Schooling in Uganda: a Humanist Alternative
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Speaker: Steve Hurd, Chief Executive, Uganda Humanist Schools Trust
An illustrated talk about education in rural schools in Uganda where there are large numbers of AIDS orphans. He will describe the distinctive contribution of a small number of pioneering schools based on Humanist principles.

Monday Dec 5th On Being Human through prose, poetry, art and music

A cooperative session to which anyone may contribute. Bring along a reading, picture, piece of music and explain how it illustrates our humanity or, if you prefer, simply come along, listen to others and join in as you wish.

Sunday Dec 18th Winter Solstice Party

At the home of Paul and Anne Gubbins.
Contributions of food and drink welcome.

Monday Jan 16th Book Review - "The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves" by Matt Ridley.

Ridley dips into biology and economics to support his case that life is good and getting better. 'A real page-turner.' Richard Dawkins. Discussion leader: Hilary Hurd.

Monday Feb 6th Making moral choices.

Speaker: Phil Malbon. The central question of ethics is “What is right action in these circumstances ?” So what do we mean by “right” and how do we determine what constitutes “right action“ ?

Monday Mar 5th Humanism and Spirituality - Are human beings more than simply "rationality machines"?

Discussion led by Tricia Budd and Sue Wright.

Monday Apr 2nd Do Faith Schools have a place in British Education? Richy Thompson, Campaigns Officer (Faith Schools and Education), British Humanist Association (BHA).

Monday May 28th Action for Happiness

This meeting will focus on the campaign by psychologists and economists to reorientate the goals of our society.

See http://www.actionforhappiness.org/

Come along with a list of the things that make you happy.

With the exception of December 18th, all the above meetings start at 7.30pm on the top floor room of the Unitarian Meeting House, on A34 opposite Lidl (parking) and Travelodge, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1QS.

Powerpoint slides

Presenting Humanism to Others

(more Powerpoints within EDUCATION)

Humanism: personal statements