December 2020
Greetings!
As I look back on 2020, it has been a year, unlike any other. It is a year that brought unprecedented challenges and changes for all of us and put significant strain on individuals, families and communities.
Despite the challenges, Humanist Canada members have supported each other. Our membership has grown this year. We've expanded programming. We have the most diverse board in our history. We've developed our administrative team to be more responsive and supportive to you. And we have big aspirations for 2021.
This holiday season, we have the opportunity to spend time reflecting on a challenging year and being ever more grateful for those around us. At the top of my list is you, our members. You've engaged in Humanist Canada's regular programming; you've emailed and called us. You've been ambassadors through our Officiant Program, you've served on our board and committee's though most importantly, you've been part of an amazing Canadian humanist community.
And I've been inspired by you. By your initiatives around the country, your commitment to humanism, and I trust, we have encouraged and supported you in return.
On behalf of the board and staff, we wish you, your families and loved ones the best of the holiday season. In whatever way you celebrate, be safe, find joy, and look forward to the promise of a new year.
Warm regards,
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Month of Giving
December is everyone's favourite month to give! While we plan to buy gifts for our friends and family, it's also the month we think about giving back to our community. And on that note, we're engaging you and millions of Canadians to support charities like Humanist Canada.
Your donation to Humanist Canada will go toward expanding humanist activities throughout Canada, especially in under-serviced areas outside our major urban centres. We are excited to tell you that we are developing a National Program of Humanist Chaplains to serve Canadian Humanists. Together, with your support, we can do so much more to support Humanists in Canada.
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Humanist Canada Holiday Playlist
Carols, ivy, candles, the Nutcracker, and choruses best communicate a Christmas message of peace, love and hope.
More than any other time of the year, Christmas, Solstice, Yule (add your label) provides an opportunity to collectively reflect on these simple yet profound themes. And there are precious few shared, collective experiences in society today. Music is central to the ways we connect with one another.
We've put together a seasonal playlist of music for members. In this year of isolation, may we feel connected knowing other humanists around the country are enjoying this same playlist of music.
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Webinar Series 2020
On Sunday, December 20, 2020 – 3 pm EST
ARTIFICIAL WOMB TECHNOLOGY
With Srishti Hukku
This webinar will talk about the most recent scientific developments that have brought forward a number of ethical debates about the risks associated with traditional pregnancy. Who has the right to reproduce how should technologies be integrated into the existing social fabric? Research efforts in Canada and Australia will begin to shed light on attitudes and perceptions of the Artificial Womb.
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Srishti Hukku is a lifetime member of Humanist Canada, a cotutelle doctoral candidate in the University of Ottawa’s Population Health program and Macquarie University’s Anthropology program. Srishti is also a Research Fellow with Cambridge Reproductive Health Consultants.
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Freedom of Thought Report |
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Launch of the Freedom
of Thought Report 2020
Since 2012 Humanists International has published the Freedom of Thought Report to monitor the rights and treatment of humanists, atheists and non-religious people in every country in the world.
This year, the thematic focus of the Report is COVID-19, and its impact on the non-religious people globally.
In particular, we have seen the establishment of restrictions on:
- Women’s rights
- Media freedom, protest and access to information
- Individuals at risk
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Survey Request
Sexual and Reproductive Health - Artificial Womb Technology
Exploring Canadians’ knowledge and perspectives on artificial womb technology: A qualitative multi-methods study
Researchers at the University of Ottawa, Canada are conducting an online survey dedicated to Canadians’ knowledge and perceptions of assisted human reproduction.
You are eligible to participate if you are age 18 or older, a Canadian citizen, and sufficiently fluent in English or French to complete the survey.
* Participation is both voluntary and confidential *
The survey should take no more than 45 minutes to complete. Participants will be eligible for a CAD50 gift certificate at amazon.ca.
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The Evolved Self:
Mapping an Understanding of Who We Are
In this work, the self, which is core to such concepts as self-esteem and self-actualization, is mapped using elemental units of culture called memes.
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Please note the Humanist Canada offices will be closed from December 23 through to Monday, January 4. We wish you a safe and healthy holiday.
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To ensure the newsletter is relevant we invite your response to a few short questions. Having feedback from across the country is our goal. Click here!
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Why membership in Humanist Canada is important!
We simply can't do it without you. We are entirely funded through memberships and donations. Your involvement is incredibly significant and goes a long way to support lasting change for a better society and a tolerant world where rational thinking and kindness prevail.
Humanist Canada has just launched a new member system that will allow you to update your own information. Click on the button below, and you will be prompted to set up your login information.
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