Events Archive 2017
International Darwin Day
Sunday 12 February 2017, 1:00 pm
Studley Park, Kew, Melbourne
Join us at picturesque Studely Park (under the shelter by the electric barbecues) for a picnic (BYO) to celebrate the enormous positive impact Charles Darwin had on the world. Read Event Details …
Australian Humanist Convention 2017
Friday 7 to Sunday 9 April 2017
Ibis Melbourne Hotel, Therry Street (close to the popular Victoria Market)
The Humanist Society of Victoria is hosting the 52nd Annual Convention of the Council of Australian Humanist Societies. The theme of this year’s convention is Ethics in an Uncertain World. Convention speakers and delegates will be confronting the most pressing issues facing society today and discussing how Humanists can help to shape a better future for all. Read Event Details …
March for Science
Saturday 22 April 2017, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston St, Melbourne
The march celebrates the public discovery, distribution, and understanding of scientific knowledge as crucial to the freedom, success, health, and safety of life on this planet. Talks start on the lawn of the State Library at noon. The march starts from there at 1:00 pm, proceeding to Parliament House and ending at the Treasury Gardens. Read Event Details …
Artificial Intelligence/Human Possibilities – Assessing emerging risks and opportunities in machine cognition
Thursday 17 August 2017, 6:15 to 10:00 pm
Ibis Hotel (conference room), 15–21 Therry Street, Melbourne
Given significant developments in Artificial Intelligence, it’s worth asking: What aspects of ideal AI have not been achieved yet? There is good reason for the growing media storm around AI — many experts agree on the big picture that with the development of Superintelligent AI (including Artificial General Intelligence) humanity will face great challenges (some polls suggest that AGI is not far). Though in order to best manage both the opportunities and risks we need to achieve a clearer picture — this requires sensitivity to ambiguity, precision of expression and attention to theoretical detail in understanding the implications of AI, communicating/discussing AI, and ultimately engineering beneficial AI. Read Event Details …
A Better Life: 100 Atheists Speak Out on Joy and Meaning in a World without God
Tuesday 19 September 2017, 5:00 to 7:00 pm
University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville
Christopher Johnson, author of A Better Life: 100 Atheists Speak Out on Joy and Meaning in a World without God will be speaking on the insights he gained from writing the book. The event is hosted by the University of Melbourne Secular Society. Humanist Society of Victoria members are specially invited. Read Event Details …
A Better Life: An Exploration of Joy and Meaning in a World without God
Thursday 21 September 2017, 5:00 to 7:00 pm
University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville
A screening of Christopher Johnson’s film (author of A Better Life: 100 Atheists Speak Out on Joy and Meaning in a World without God). The screening will be attended by the author and is hosted by the University of Melbourne Secular Society. Humanist Society of Victoria members are specially invited. Read Event Details …
National Day of Action for Refugees
Sunday 8 October 2017, 2:00 pm
State Library, Melbourne, (corner Swanston and La Trobe Streets)
The Australian Refugee Action Network is organizing this National Day of action to continue to put the spotlight on the plight of the people held on Manus and Nauru. Read Event Details …
Existentialist Society Lecture: Is Morality Objective?
Tuesday 7 November 2017, 8:00 pm
Unitarian Church Hall, 110 Grey Street, East Melbourne (Melways: 2G, D2)
In this Melbourne Cup Day Lecture, HSV committee member, Leslie Allan, addresses a question germane to all humanists and naturalists: Is morality in any important sense objective, or are our moral judgments nothing more than expressions of personal preference? Read Event Details …
Launch – Peace not war: art that takes a stand
Thursday 9 November 2017, 6:00 pm
Library at The Dock Gallery, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands, Melbourne
Australian and international artists stand up for human rights in this exhibition addressing peace, war, violence, homelessness, Indigenous issues, refugees and violence in our society.
In conversation: art and human rights
Thursday 6 December 2017, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Library at The Dock Gallery, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands, Melbourne
Join Hugh De Kretser, Director, Human Rights Law Centre, and a panel of artists and activists who will explore their own experiences of human rights.
