Atheist Alliance International
| Atheist Alliance International | |
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| Abbreviation | AAI |
| Motto | A global voice for atheism |
| Formation | 1991 |
| Type | Non-profit organization |
| Purpose/focus | Atheism |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Region served | Worldwide |
| Official languages | English |
| Website | http://www.atheistalliance.org/ |
Atheist Alliance International (AAI) is a global network of atheist organisations around the world. AAI was founded in 1991.
AAI's vision is "to transform society into one that understands and respects atheism; that supports and respects a worldview based on the values of reason, empiricism and naturalism; and that respects and protects the separation of religion and government and the constitutional and human rights of atheists as members of society in free, democratic and open nations."[2] Its unofficial tagline is "A global voice for atheism".
AAI activities include:
- Facilitating and hosting conventions and conferences around the world;
- Publishing a quarterly magazine, Secular World;
- Providing seed money and other resources to new and fledging atheist groups in impoverished areas and countries;
- Hosting international community volunteer projects that improve the quality of life; and
- Lobbying internationally for greater freedom of conscience and the defense and expansion of human rights, especially for atheists and others who are oppressed by religious or other discrimination.
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[edit] Conventions
The first annual convention of Atheist Alliance International took place in 1995 in Los Angeles. AAI has typically held at least one convention each year since then, until 2010 all of these were held in the United States. Since 2010, AAI has expanded the coverage and frequency of its conventions, with multiple conferences held each year across various continents.
The largest convention that AAI has hosted to-date was the 2010 Global Atheist Convention - The Rise of Atheism,[3] held in March 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. This convention was attended by over 2,500 people.
[edit] Other Projects
In 2009 AAI launched the AAI Foundation, a long-term project dedicated to sponsoring volunteer educational projects in developing countries. Its first project provided funds and volunteers to the Kasese Primary Humanist School in Kasese, Uganda in 2010. AAI selected and hosted four volunteers from North America and Asia to serve as teaching assistants at the school for three months. In 2011 AAI supported educational conferences in Gambia and Kenya.
[edit] History
In 2010 the members of Atheist Alliance International approved a motion to separate the US and non-US portions of AAI into separate organisations, to accommodate the different foci of each subgroup. Further motions to put the separation into effect were approved by AAI members in April 2011. The US portion of Atheist Alliance International became renamed Atheist Alliance America; the non-US portion retained the original Atheist Alliance International name but adopted a new constitution with a new organizational structure. The launch of the newly restructured Atheist Alliance International occurred at the World Atheist Convention in Dublin, Ireland on 3 June 2011.[4] At that meeting, the members of the new AAI elected a new international board of 13 directors from eight countries.
The current President of AAI is Tanya Smith, from Melbourne, Australia, elected on 3 June 2011.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ "PDF of the Secular Nation article "A Conventioneer's Delight! Pt 5 of 5"". Archived from the original on 2008-11-21. http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20081121031350/http://atheistalliance.org//secular/articles/v12n3_conventionpt5.pdf.
- ^ "About AAI". AAI. http://www.atheistalliance.org/about-aai/. Retrieved 2011-06-03.
- ^ "The Rise of Atheism, 2010 Global Atheist Convention". Atheistconvention.org.au. 2009-02-18. http://www.atheistconvention.org.au/. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
- ^ ""New Atheist Alliance International Launched in Dublin, Ireland 3 June 2011" Accessed June 3, 2011". www.atheistalliance.org. 2011-06-03. http://atheistalliance.org/news-a-articles/aai-news/310-new-atheist-alliance-international-launched-in-dublin-ireland-3-june-2011. Retrieved 2011-06-05.
- ^ ""AAI/AAA Transition" Accessed June 18, 2011". www.atheistalliance.org. 2011-06-04. http://www.atheistalliance.org/about-aai/aaa-transition. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
[edit] External links
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