The British Humanist Association (BHA) has officially kicked off the World Humanist Congress, with delegates treated to a packed first day of debate on freedom of speech. The Congress, which is being held in Oxford until Sunday, will focus on freedom of expression and the pursuit of a ‘21st century Enlightenment’, and welcome 1,000 delegates from over 67 countries, as well as over 70 renowned speakers from all over the world, for 35 separate sessions.
Delegates at a packed Sheldonian Theatre were welcomed by Chief Executive Andrew Copson and President Jim Al-Khalili on behalf of the BHA, and by Rt. Hon Lynne Featherstone MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development, on behalf of the government. Ms Featherstone emphasised the government’s commitment to free expression by avowing that ‘every person, whatever their background or circumstances, deserves the right to live the life they wish, without fear, intimidation or violence.’ Many attendees benefitted from generous grants from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to travel to Oxford, with the government helping to cover the travel expenses of individuals from countries as far afield as Zimbabwe and Iran.
In the day’s two plenary sessions, an internationally respected line-up of experts on human rights teased out issues surrounding the key themes of the Congress. In an uncompromising defence of the absolute value of freedom of speech and its integral role at the core of meaningful human autonomy, the prolific philosopher and essayist A.C. Grayling stressed that ‘Bad free speech should only be met by better free speech and it’s up to us to provide it’. In the last session of the day, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief Heiner Bielefeldt, the historian and BBC presenter Francesca Stavrakopoulou, BHA Chief Executive Copson, and Jo Glanville, whose work leading English PEN and Index on Censorship has been crucial in ensuring free access to information, spoke about the social element of new technologies and also the possibility of new mediums being used for good or bad. Heiner Bielefeldt stressed that it was only though social media that very small groups who were disenfranchised could meet, creating new communities.
Elsewhere, delegates heard from speakers such as the scientist P Z Myers, the author and historian Tom Holland and the digital technology expert Anahi Ayala Iacucci on topics ranging from free speech issues surrounding religious sacred cows to whether ‘nonsense’ is poisoning our discourse. Delegates also heard the Oslo Humanist Choir and selected readings performed by the BHA’s Head of Ceremonies Isabel Russo. Attendees will now gather for an evening drink in the inspiring surrounds of Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum to discuss the day’s debates.
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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.