The second Conference of the Humanist and Ethical Union of Kenya drew larger numbers than expected. Eight papers were presented before an audience of 104 (35 from Nairobi and Mombasa, 23 from Kisumu, 21 from Somali – Kenya and Ethiopia, 11 from Tanzania, 7 from Uganda and 7 from Rwanda and Sudan). This increase in interest was an unanticipated but pleasant surprise.
The conference was held at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, from 12th to 17th February 2006. This conference was particularly significant in the following ways:
(a) It was the first time a conference of the HEUK had been held in a University
(b) It was held in conjunction with the annual conference of the World Youth Alliance, a professional society not unlike the HEUK, of secular humanists and philosophers working in the field of African Mentality. The WYA was founded in 1991 and has so far held annual conferences in the Nigeria and Newyork.
Themes and Plenary Speakers
The theme of this conference was African Philosophy and Human Development in the 21st Century with the following sub-themes:
* Values, health and ethics including conceptions of self, society and well-being Politics, international relations and globalisation issues
* Trade, economy, business and human resource development
* Culture, art and religion
* The natural environment and natural resources, built environments, and the impact of development on the natural environment
* Scientific and technological developments with particular emphasis on emergent ethical challenges
There were two public lectures organised in conjunction with the conference, one given by Professor Peter Wanyande (University of Nairobi) on Doing Business Management in America Psychology: The Creativity Theory and the other by Professor Okelo Odhiambo (Kenyatta University) on Drawing Insights African Witch Doctors.
There were four plenary speakers: Ms Fatuma Mohamed (NEMA), Mr Thomas Kioko (Social Development Officer, Makadara), Professor Lisa Ngangodo (Makerere University) and Mr. Boaz Adhengo
Attendance
The 2nd HEUK conference drew larger numbers than expected. There were 8 papers presented and 104 participants in total (35 from Nairobi and Mombasa, 23 from Kisumu, 21 from Somali – Kenya and Ethopia, 11 from Tanzania, 7 from Uganda and 7 from Rwanda and Sudan). This was an unanticipated but pleasant surprise.
Ann Wamboi, President