Learning to Live Well Together

Saturday 14^th April 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

With Dr Allan Hayes

Taking his title from a recent book on interfaith diversity by Tom Wilson and Riaz Ravat, lifelong humanist Allan Hayes is concerned that, at a time when we need to bring people together, we are instead dividing children by religion, allowing the divisions between science and religion to deepen, and failing to promote a shared understanding of humanity. What can we do about it? In this enlightening presentation Allan will be highlighting some of the ways in which we can all engage constructively with diversity. He will also address how religious education can be reformed and improved.

Former Church of England choirboy Allan Hayes became a lifelong humanist from the age of 14. He has taught maths at Massachusetts Institute for Technology, Purdue University Indiana, and at the University of Leicester. He has served on the boards of the British Humanist Association, the Sea of Faith Network, All Faiths and None, and Leicester Secular Society.

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Please email Chairman@dorsethumanists.co.uk for a PDF copy for you to print and display.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Money and Banking: Why the System is Failing and our Radical Solution

Wednesday 24^th January 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

With Lucy Thom and David Moon of ‘Positive Money’

The economy is not working for far too many people leading to ever-growing inequality, rising house prices, increasing private debt and environmental degradation.

Lucy Thom and David Moon, members of ‘Positive Money’, will explain how commercial banks create new money when they make loans and how money is destroyed when those loans are repaid. They will show how this is at the root of our current economic problems and make the case for a major banking reform which removes the right to create money from the private sector.

Positive Money campaigns for the power to create money to be used in the public interest, in a democratic, transparent and accountable way, rather than by the same banks that caused the financial crisis.

“Join us for a thought-provoking evening as we reveal how Britain’s banking system can be changed for the better”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed via its rear entrance in Gervis Road. The hotel has a small onsite car park, and roadside parking is also available in Gervis Road).

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Please email Dave at DHweb2(at)live.co.uk for a PDF copy for you to print and display.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Percy Shelley: A Humanist Out of Time

Saturday 09^th December 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

With Songwriter and Publisher John Webster

While he is perhaps most celebrated as one of our greatest romantic poets, Percy Bysshe Shelley was also an idealist who passionately advocated social reform. In this literary and musical presentation, Shelley expert John Webster will reveal how modern humanist ideals inspired much of this revolutionary poet’s work.

John will begin his presentation with an introduction highlighting Shelley's relevance to contemporary humanism, following which he will present many of Shelley’s verses in a cycle of specially composed songs from his 'Shelley's Golden Years in Italy' DVD. These musical adaptations of Shelley’s poems feature introductory explanatory narrations recorded by the poet Benjamin Zephaniah and are illustrated with an eclectic selection of images featuring Shelley-related locations in Italy.

“An excellent opportunity to learn more about humanism in the 19th century and to connect with a visionary poet who looked forward to a democratic, pluralist, and secular future”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Please email Dave at DHweb2(at)live.co.uk for a PDF copy for you to print and display.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

CND and Labour's Nuclear Conflict

Saturday 09^th September 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

With Chair of London Region CND Carol Turner

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) was founded in the late 1950s at the height of the Cold War to non-violently campaign to rid the world of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

Carol Turner will provide an overview of CND’s aims and objectives, sharing a selection of the movement’s most colourful characters and historical highlights, followed by a critique of the arguments for and against Britain’s nuclear defence capability. Political support for nuclear disarmament has usually come from parties on the left of the political spectrum, and in addition to her own research, Carol will be drawing from interviews with key Labour figures over recent decades, which also provide us with some fascinating insights into the turbulent struggles within the party over this most crucial of questions. Finally, she will consider the impact of having CND Vice-President Jeremy Corbyn as Labour’s leader.

Carol Turner is a long time peace and anti-war campaigner. She is Chair of London Region CND and a national officer of Stop the War Coalition. She is the author of Corbyn and Trident: Labour’s continuing controversy.

“Join us for a fascinating exploration of the pros and cons of nuclear disarmament”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Atheism UK

Saturday 12^th August 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

with President of Atheism UK Chris Street

The principles of Atheism UK affirm that humans have fabricated religion, that God and gods do not exist, that morality develops independently of religion, and, perhaps most controversially, that religion inhibits rational thought. The group promotes an atheistic worldview and questions the whole validity of the concept of religious faith. Atheism UK supports the right of all non-religious people to have the same freedom of expression as their religious counterparts, and the organisation has assisted UK-based atheist ex-Muslims who have been threatened with deportation.

In this presentation, President of Atheism UK Chris Street will explain why we need to promote atheism as a worldview, and he will discuss the group’s principles and activities. Atheism UK is the nation’s only democratic, member-led, campaigning organisation advancing atheism. Its distinguished supporters include Susan Blackmore, Maryam Namazie and PZ Myers.

Chris Street is a life-long atheist (despite attending a Catholic secondary school!) and has been an active humanist since 2006. He has been an Atheism UK Council Member since January 2011 and became the organisation’s President in June 2014. He is also a committee member of Dorset Humanists.

“Join us to discover why our nation needs more outspoken atheists”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Land Value Tax Explained

Wednesday 26^th July 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

With Carol Wilcox of the Labour Land Campaign

Our dysfunctional land market is a key factor in causing the insufficient availability of decent affordable homes, gross wealth inequality, and unsustainable private debt. One solution proposed by economists from right across the political spectrum is a land value tax. In this presentation, Carol Wilcox will be explaining the role which land plays in our economy and how a land value tax (dubbed ‘the garden tax’ in the 2017 general election) could make the land market work better for us. With all of our main political parties reportedly considering the implementation of a land value tax, we recommend joining us to discover the impact that this radical proposal on how we tax land and property could have on both the economy and your own personal finances.

“Join us for a thought-provoking evening as we reveal the mysteries of the tax that everyone has been talking about”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome! 

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed via its rear entrance in Gervis Road. The hotel has a small onsite car park, and roadside parking is also available in Gervis Road).

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Tolpuddle and its Martyrs: Radicals, Revolutionaries and Religion

Saturday 10^th June 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

With Government Scientist and Trade Union Rep David Nunn and Eric Austen

How did a small Dorset village come to be internationally recognised as the birthplace of modern British Trade Unionism? And how did six agricultural workers, with nothing more than their labour to offer, come to challenge the might of the British Empire, the aristocracy, and powerful land-owners, causing the Government of the day to back down? Six brave men and their families helped change the balance of power, and their influence continues on into today’s environment of challenging employment relations, as Trade Unionists face up to the current Government radically reducing their rights. Adding further spice to this story, religion was also inextricably entwined with these influential events, with one arm of the Christian Church supporting the six men, while another serviced the will of land-owners and the Government.

“Join us for a fascinating afternoon exploring a true story that inspired, challenged and forever changed our nation”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Why Everyone Should be a Feminist

Wednesday 24^th May 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

Bournemouth University lecturer Frances Hawkhead

Men and women should have equal rights and opportunities, yet women still earn less than men in Britain and are grossly underrepresented in our company boardrooms. Is this because women naturally prefer the roles which attract less pay, or does our social structure still privilege men? Should we support positive discrimination to increase the number of women in key business and civic roles, or is equal opportunity enough? Do existing cultural gender stereotypes harm men as well as women?

Via a brief history of feminism and an exploration of gender in society, Frances Hawkhead will provide some thought-provoking answers to these and other questions, and will invite us all to become feminists.

Frances Hawkhead  is a lecturer in English, Communication & Media at Bournemouth University.

“Join us for a thought-provoking evening as we discover why we should all be feminists”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed via its rear entrance in Gervis Road. The hotel has a small onsite car park, and roadside parking is also available in Gervis Road).

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

First Brexit then Trump: How Did We Get Here and Where Should We Go?

Wednesday 26^th April 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

With Economist Steve Laughton

Steve Laughton believes it’s the failure of mainstream economics that got us ‘here’ – but what happens next? In this presentation Steve aims to challenge mainstream economics and explain why political parties are struggling to convince electorates that they have answers to their problems. In the process he will demystify economics; a subject which, he will argue, has morphed into a fake science hiding behind beautiful mathematical models built on false assumptions. After the last financial crash, the Queen famously asked ‘Why did no one see it coming?’ A new breed of heterodox economists, such as Professor Steve Keen, did see it coming and are warning of serious economic trouble to come if we don’t change course...

Steve Laughton is currently undertaking research into exchange rate policies and post-Keynesian theory under the tutorship of Professor Keen. He is a former member of the Labour Economic Policy Group.

“Join us for a thought-provoking and revealing look at the short-comings of mainstream economics”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed via its rear entrance in Gervis Road. The hotel has a small onsite car park, and roadside parking is also available in Gervis Road).

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Women and Humanism

Saturday 9^th January 2016 - 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

with Former Chair of the National Sex Education Forum Jo Adams

All of us deserve the opportunity to be educated, to work, to be healthy and to participate in all aspects of public life.

Yet throughout history, women have been denied many of these rights and religion has played a major part in this oppression and discrimination. So what role does Humanism have to play in advancing gender equality, and what part do women play in modern Humanism?

Jo Adams will examine these issues and discuss ways in which women can be equally represented in a truly egalitarian Humanist movement..

Jo Adams is a member of the Women's Equality Party, and was formerly chair of the National Sex Education Forum and an Adviser to the Department of Health on Sexual Health and Teenage Pregnancy. She is also the author of a number of books relating to self-esteem and positive sexual health.

Join us to hear a compelling case for actively supporting and promoting worldwide gender equality.

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Humanists for a Better World: Global Problems – Why Bother?

Wednesday 22^nd July 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

With ‘Humanists for a Better World’ co-founder Marilyn Mason

Humanists have always been concerned about global problems such as human rights abuses, poverty, wars, hunger, and exploitation of the poor, yet globally there remains much to be done, and despite public statements to the contrary, issues such as climate change and environmental sustainability remain low priorities for most UK politicians. Humanism is a worldview which inspires considered action, and Marilyn Mason will explain why she thinks humanists should get involved in changing things for the better, and how she co-founded Humanists for a Better World to encourage not just more discussion and information-sharing, but more collective humanist action too. Marilyn will be focussing on the positive actions we can take communally, politically and as individuals.

Marilyn Mason was the British Humanist Association’s first ever Education Officer. She co-founded Humanists for a Better World, represents the British Humanist Association in the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, and is on the steering group of Transition Town Kingston.

“Join us as we explore a range of ways in which we can individually and collectively help improve our world”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed via its rear entrance in Gervis Road. The hotel has a small onsite car park, and roadside parking is also available in Gervis Road).

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Myth, Marx and Milton Friedman

Wednesday 22^nd April 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

A humanist approach to economics with Steve Laughton of the Labour Economic Policy Group

Is economics still a reputable, scientific discipline or has there been an insidious takeover of economic theory by myth, dogma and market fundamentalism?

Steve Laughton of the Labour Economic Policy Group will argue that the world is now governed by a self-serving economic aristocracy whose power is growing inexorably, unchecked by democratic forces. With a little help from Marx, Keynes, Milton Friedman, Thomas Piketty and Bob Dylan, he will attempt to demonstrate that a decent future for everyone - full employment, a living wage, decent pensions and greater equality - is achievable, but not without a fundamental challenge to the prevailing economic orthodoxy. This promises to be a thought-provoking talk, with plenty of opportunity for questions and further debate afterwards.

“A thought-provoking look at how we can use the ideas of some great economic theorists to create a more equitable world”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed via its rear entrance in Gervis Road. The hotel has a small onsite car park, and roadside parking is also available in Gervis Road).

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and helps you to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Why Secularism Matters

Saturday 11^th April 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

With Keith Porteous Wood,  Executive Director of the National Secular Society

The National Secular Society (NSS) has been campaigning against religious privilege and for a secular society since 1866. Keith’s talk will set out the National Secular Society’s view of secularism and religious privilege and why the need for a secular state is more pressing than ever. He will also consider why achieving this aim has become more difficult, how changes to the traditional religious lobby and vested interests have changed and how the National Secular Society has responded. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the National Secular Society’s work including its current campaigns on education, equality and human rights.

Keith Porteous Wood is the Executive Director of the National Secular Society. In 2007 he received the Distinguished Service to Humanism Award from the International Humanist and Ethical Union for his work in building up the National Secular Society and campaigning for secularism both nationally and internationally. Dorset Humanists is affiliated to the National Secular Society.

“A great opportunity to learn more about secularism and the National Secular Society’s current campaigns”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

General Election Special 2015

Wednesday 25^th March 7.30pm
The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

Featuring local political party candidates from the five main parties.

As our nation gears itself up for the general election in May, we present a pre-election party policy special which we hope will increase local awareness of our parties’ latest policy positions. Candidates from the five main political parties will each make a short presentation trying to convince you their manifesto is best for Britain’s future, followed by ample opportunity for audience questions. We are looking forward to hearing their policies on key issues such as housing, welfare, wages, taxation, employment, immigration, the NHS, energy and the environment, enabling us to gain a better appreciation of which party will be best for Britain.

Come and join us at this pre-election special to gain a better appreciation of our parties’ plans, challenge the party representatives in the Q&As, and cast your ‘vote’ in our mock election. We expect this to be a lively and enjoyable event!

“A great opportunity to familiarise yourself with our political parties’ future plans for Britain before you place your vote on election day”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed on foot and by car via its rear entrance in Gervis Road. The hotel has a small onsite car park, and roadside parking is also available in Gervis Road).

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

You can also help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Humanism, Politics and our Future

Saturday 10^th January 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown Bournemouth BH9 1TW

With Professor of the History of Political Thought Greg Claeys

Are you fed up with bankers’ bonuses, corporate giants evading tax, unaffordable housing, and incompetent government? In preparation for the May 2015 general election, Greg Claeys will be considering the policies of our political parties and how well they correspond with our secular humanist tradition of working for a better world.

Greg has extensively researched and written about the development of modern political thought, including an in-depth exploration of mankind’s various attempts to envision an ideal society, and will be drawing inspiration from reformers such as socialist Robert Owen, human rights pioneer Thomas Paine, and libertarian John Stuart Mill.

Greg is Professor of the History of Political Thought at Royal Holloway, University of London and is a popular speaker on both humanist themes and politics.

“Join us for a thought-provoking analysis of how likely our political parties are to fulfil our humanist aspirations”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

Please help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and an easy way to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to our event listings on these sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dorsethumanists/events/

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Capitalism and Inequality

Wednesday 22^nd October 7.30pm The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

With economist Douglas Lock

In this talk, Douglas Lock will be presenting key ideas from economist Thomas Piketty’s surprise bestseller, ‘Capital in the Twenty-First Century’.

Piketty’s central claim is that inequality in the world’s most advanced capitalist countries is increasing and has been for at least 30 years. He also demolishes the persistent myth that we’re living in a meritocracy in which great wealth is earned and deserved, and he claims growing inequality makes democracy unsustainable.

Hailed by many progressives as an economic messiah, Piketty's ambitious goal is to change the way wealth is distributed. Among his controversial proposals are an 80 percent tax rate on the very highest earners, not to raise money for education or welfare, as he does not expect such a tax to bring in much revenue, but simply 'to put an end to such extreme incomes'.

Come along to hear Douglas explain the economic ideas that have taken the world by storm, and made Piketty an international celebrity.

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

For more information on Piketty and his ideas, watch Thomas Piketty on TED (20 minutes)

Please indicate your interest in attending this event on Meetup.com and/or facebook as it helps raise our group’s profile on these sites (Meetup also offers you timely email reminders and the chance to discover other interesting groups in your area). To help you find them, here are the direct links to this event on those sites:

http://www.meetup.com/Dorset-Humanists/events/212829072/

https://www.facebook.com/events/957375840945118/

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed by car and on foot via its rear entrance in Gervis Road. The hotel has a small onsite car park, and roadside parking is also available in Gervis Road).

Please help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

An Intelligent Voter’s Guide to Austerity and Economic Beliefs

Wednesday 23rd April 7.30pm The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

A presentation by economist Douglas Lock

If nations are like households then of course they shouldn’t try to solve a debt crisis by piling up more debt. But maybe nations are nothing like households and the very worst thing they can do in a recession is to cut spending.

Why do politicians tenaciously maintain their economic beliefs even in the aftermath of massive, systemic failure?

In this fascinating talk Douglas will trace the history of a set of economic beliefs which have become known as ‘neoliberalism’. These beliefs have held sway in much of the world economy for the last thirty years and show little sign of decline despite increasingly extreme inequality, and having brought the world to the brink of economic collapse in that period. He will also explain how he believes the Coalition Government’s austerity policy is irrational, has cost us billions in lost wealth, and has hit the poor hardest.

Douglas is a retired university economics lecturer and Chair of Christchurch & East Dorset Constituency Labour Party. His key interests are economic affairs, politics and community life.

“Join us for an intriguing examination of austerity policy and its implications, from retired economics lecturer Douglas Lock”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed from Gervis Road, which is well lit and has roadside parking).

Please help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

A Living Wage for Dorset

Wednesday 22 January 7.30pm The Green House Hotel,  4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX

Featuring Neil Duncan-Jordan, Acting Chair of the Living Wage Dorset Campaign

The Living Wage is a voluntary or negotiated level of pay (currently £7.65 per hour) which provides a starting point for a decent standard of living for all workers. More than a quarter of employees in Dorset earn below this level, and very few UK employers currently use it as a benchmark. As a result, taxpayers effectively subsidise many businesses with tax credits and housing benefit for their lower paid workers. Neil will present the case for a Living Wage in Dorset, and will explain how employers, workers and taxpayers would all benefit from its implementation. The Living Wage Campaign is backed by all major political parties, the TUC, many charities and several large employers.
“Join us to discover the benefits of a Living Wage for Dorset”

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

RSVP

(The Green House Hotel can also be accessed from Gervis Road, which is better lit and has roadside parking).
Please help us promote Dorset Humanists and this event by displaying an A4 poster. Download an A4 printable copy here, or email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF.
Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

A Humanist Manifesto

Saturday 14^th July 2.00pm 
Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown, Bournemouth BH9 1TW

Are you fed up with bankers’ bonuses, religious schools, house prices, student fees, and incompetent government?

If you think it’s time for Humanists to turn their principles into a political programme, you might be surprised to know Humanist Parties already exist in many countries, including the UK. We’ll be considering some of their policies and discussing our views on what a Humanist Manifesto should look like; covering poverty, wealth, education, international aid, crime, taxation, marriage, and much more. Our discussions will be followed by a delicious Strawberry Cream Tea (A £2.50 charge applies for Cream Tea).

Come and join us for a thought-provoking afternoon and a delicious strawberry cream tea.

Free entry (donations appreciated).     Everyone welcome!

If you can help us promote this event by displaying an A4 poster, please email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF copy.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.

Inequality Harms Everyone

Saturday, 10th December 2.00pm

Moordown Community Centre, Coronation Avenue, Moordown, Bournemouth. BH9 1TW

A presentation by Kathryn Busby of ‘The Equality Trust’.

People in more equal societies live longer, have better mental health and are more socially mobile but income inequality in the UK is among the highest in the developed world. Offering a wealth of supporting evidence, Kathryn will argue it is essential we take action now and reduce the gap between rich and poor to build a better society for all of us.

Everyone welcome! 

Free entry (donations appreciated)

If you can help us promote this event by displaying an A4 poster, please email Dave at DHcensus(at)hotmail.co.uk for a PDF copy.

Click here to view details of other forthcoming and recent events on this website.