Richard Dawkins announced as 2012 recipient for ‘Services to Humanism’ award
Award to be to be presented at Beyond Tomorrow: Visions of the Future, Friday 8 June – Sunday 10 June 2012, National Museum Cardiff
Professor Richard Dawkins, Vice President and Distinguished Supporter of the British Humanist Association, has today been announced as the recipient of the prestigious Services to Humanism award, which will be presented at the gala dinner at the British Humanist Association Annual Conference in Cardiff on Saturday 9 June.
The award is in recognition of his tireless campaigning on issues supported by the BHA, which includes his sponsorship of the 2008 Atheist Bus Campaign which raised over £100,000 in its first four days, the 2009 Please don't label me billboard campaign which aimed to address the labelling children as if they innately belong to a particular religion, the 2010 Protest the Pope march and rally which saw over 10,000 people take to the streets to oppose the honour of a state visit being given to the Pope, and the 2011Teach evolution, not creationism campaign which aims to ensure the Government makes it clear that creationism and ‘intelligent design’ are not scientific theories and to prevent them from being taught as such in publicly-funded schools.
Best-selling author Philip Pullman CBE, whose works include the multiple award-winning His Dark Materials trilogy, was the 2011 recipient of the BHA Services to Humanism award.
BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson said, ‘Richard Dawkins is known for his brilliant and accessible writing on science and evolution and for his consistent and courageous defence of truth, science, and scientific method against superstition and unreason. His clear and rational arguments have been the catalyst for many people embracing humanist beliefs and values, and supporting the campaigns of the BHA. Richard’s has been one of the strongest voices in public debate on issues from ‘faith’ schools and their ability to discriminate, to freedom of speech. We are delighted to have Richard as a guest at this year’s conference and to be able to recognise the important contribution he has made globally.’
Richard Dawkins will be attending the BHA’s annual conference, Beyond Tomorrow: Visions of the Future, in Cardiff from 8-10 June to accept the award and speak at the gala dinner. The event is open to the public. Tickets and details are available at http://bhaconference.org.uk/
Notes
About the Annual Conference:
Beyond Tomorrow: Visions of the Future
Time and date: 6:00pm Friday 8 June – 12:30pm Sunday 10 June
Venue: National Museum Cardiff, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NP
Tickets available from www.humanism.org.uk/conference2012
Speakers include
Comedian and writer Richard Herring; former UK Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser Sir David King; environmental lawyer Polly Higgins; author and futurologist Mark Stevenson; internet technologist Ben Hammersley; award-winning science fiction author Paul McAuley; the world’s first cyborg Kevin Warwick; Professor of the History of Political Thought Gregory Claeys; broadcaster and performer Carole Jahme; Chair of Population Matters Roger Martin; and comedian Iszi Lawrence; and Professor Richard Dawkins accepting the award for Services to Humanism.
For further comment or press passes contact Sara Passmore on 020 7079 3586 or by email at sara@humanism.org.uk.
More information can be found at http://bhaconference.org.uk/
About the British Humanist Association
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.
Sara Passmore, Head of Education and Promotion, British Humanist Association. Email: sara@humanism.org.uk Telephone: 0044 207 079 3586
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