IHEU member organization Atheist Centre, organizer of the sixth World Atheist Conference, has announced the programme for the conference, which will be held at the Siddharta Auditorium of the Siddhartha Arts & Science College in Vijayawada, India on 5, 6 and 7 January 2007.
PROGRAMME
Friday 5 January 2007
Inaugural Function: 11.30 am – 1.30 pm
Welcome Dance: Dr. Demos Gora
Theme of the Conference: Dr. G. Vijayam
Executive Director, Atheist Centre
Welcome: Mrs. Hemalatha Lavanam, Secretary, Samskar.
Introductory Remarks:
Mrs. J. Mythri, Atheist Centre
Presidential Address:
Mr. Levi Fragell, Former President of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), Norway
Chief Guest’s address:
Ms. Sonja Eggericks, President, IHEU, Belgium
Release of English Translation of Gora’ First book, ATHEISM (1940) by Mr. Jim Herrick, U.K.
Inauguration of Saraswathi Gora’s Mobile Photo Exhibition
Inaugural address:
Dr. K. Veeramani, President, Dravidar Kazhagam, (Chennai)
Greetings from:
Dr. Volker Mueller, President, Freethinker Association, Germany
Mr. Pekka Elo, Editor, Humanisti, Finland
Dr. Bill Cooke, Editor, Open Society, New Zealand
Mr. Babu Gogineni, Intl. Representative, IHEU
Mr. Lavanam, Atheist Centre
Vote of thanks: Dr. Maru
Session I — 3 pm to 5-30 pm
Theme: The Progress of Atheism, Humanism and Rationalism—An Overview
President: Dr. Volker Mueller, President, Freethinker Association, Germany
Evening (6.30 pm to 8.30 pm)
The Myth of Miracles: Demonstrative programme exposing superstitions and blind beliefs. Conducted by Dr. Narendra Naik and others
Saturday 6 January
Morning Session I — 10 to 11.30 am
Plenary session
Morning Session II — 11.30 to 1 pm
Plenary Session
Afternoon Session: 3 pm to 5.30 pm
Group Discussion I: Secular Education
Group Discussion II: Atheism and Humanism in action
Cultural Evening: 6.30 to 8.30 pm
Dance Ballet on Secularism (Samatha Jyothi)
Vasavya Nrutya Vihar. Lead dancers:
Dr. Demos Gora & Mrs. Rajatha Gora
Cultural performance of children from Arthik Samata Mandal.
Sunday 7 January
Morning Session I — 10 am to 11.30 am
Youth and Atheism and Humanism
President: Mr. Vikas Gora, Atheist Centre
Morning Session II : 11.30 to 1 pm
Atheism as a way of life
Afternoon Session — 3 pm to 4 pm
VALEDICTORY FUNCTION
4 pm to 6 pm
President: Dr. Roy Brown
Immediate Past President, IHEU, (Switzerland)
Conference Declaration
Valedictory Address:
Dr. P.M. BHARGAVA
Vice Chairman, National Knowledge Commission, Govt. of India. (Founder Director, CCMB, Hyderabad)
Vote of thanks: Dr. G. Samaram.