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Atheist Alliance International

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Atheist Alliance International
AbbreviationAAI
Formation1991
TypeNon-profit
PurposePromotion of atheism and secularism
HeadquartersWashington, D.C.,
United States
Region served
Worldwide
Official language
English, Spanish
Websiteatheistalliance.org
Generic atheist symbol, the result of a 2007 AAI contest, created by Diane Reed.[1][2]

Atheist Alliance International (AAI) is a charitable non-profit organization committed to raising awareness and educating the public about atheism. It does this by supporting atheist/freethought organizations around the world through promoting local campaigns, raising awareness of related issues, sponsoring secular education projects and facilitating interaction among secular groups and individuals.

History

AAI was founded in 1991 as Atheist Alliance, an alliance of four U.S.-based local atheist groups. Over time Atheist Alliance expanded, adding both local/regional U.S. groups and international groups as members. The organization changed its name to Atheist Alliance International in 2001. In 2010 and 2011 members approved the separation of the U.S. and international segments of AAI into separate organizations, to accommodate the different strategic interests of each group. The U.S. group of AAI was renamed Atheist Alliance of America (In 2016, AAoA sought and achieved autonomy from the decision-making Affiliate Council.[3]); the international group retained the original AAI name but adopted new bylaws and a new organizational structure. The launch of the newly restructured AAI occurred at the World Atheist Convention in Dublin, Ireland on 3 June 2011.[4]

In 2013, the AAI was granted special consultative status by the United Nations. In this role the AAI will be able to better serve atheists facing persecution from their governments.[5][6]

Organization structure

In the spring 2017, the Board voted to re-organize AAI. The focus changed to a stronger emphasis on supporting atheist/freethought groups around the world in their efforts to normalize atheism. To be more responsive to groups and their campaigns, certain bylaws needed to be updated. At the Annual General Meeting held in May 2018, a new structure was voted in.

AAI's Board still consists of between 4 and 13 Directors elected for two year staggered terms. Affiliates or individual members can nominate candidates for the Board at anytime. Current Directors are listed on the organization's website.

AAI has two types of memberships - affiliates and individuals. Affiliates are the atheist/freethought groups around the world which have their own individual members and operate in a democratic manner. Individual members are people who wish to support the work of AAI.

AAI's vision is a secular world where public policy, scientific inquiry and education are not influenced by religious beliefs, but based upon sound reasoning, rationality and evidence, and where individuals who lack religious beliefs enjoy free speech, freedom of association and freedom to participate in public life. AAI's mission is to support atheist/freethought organizations around the world by assisting them with; local campaigns, outreach, secular education projects, coaching and promoting interactions among these groups.

Projects

In recent years AAI has been involved with projects around the world. These range from billboard campaigns telling people it is alright if they do not believe in God to confronting religious leaders to taking legal action against government officials who use public funds for religious purposes.

AAI continues to assist the Kasese School in Western Uganda. This is a humanist school that provides secular education in a remote area of the country. AAI's education policy supports the right to secular education, and asserts the need for education in critical thinking and the distinction between faith and reason as a guide to knowledge beliefs along with the spirit of free inquiry and the teaching of science free from religious interference and the respect for evidence. AAI is opposed to indoctrination (and dogma), religious or otherwise.

The organization has a flagship publication called Secular World which is published quarterly to members and is de-embargoed for general consumption when the next edition is released. Members also receive AAI Insider, a monthly newsletter.

  1. ^ "Diane Reed response on Think Atheist website to a question regarding copyright status of the symbol".
  2. ^ "PDF of the Secular Nation article "A Conventioneer's Delight! Pt 5 of 5"" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-11-21.
  3. ^ "Atheist Alliance of America Evolves". Atheist Alliance of America. Atheist Alliance of America. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  4. ^ "New Atheist Alliance International Launched in Dublin, Ireland 3 June 2011". Atheist Alliance International. June 3, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  5. ^ "Atheist Alliance International obtains UN Special consultative status" (Press release). AAI. 18 August 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  6. ^ "Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations Recommends Special Status" (Press release). United Nations Committee on NGOs. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
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