Professor Richard Dawkins, Vice President and Distinguished Supporter of the British Humanist Association (BHA), has this week been announced as the recipient of the BHA’s prestigious Services to Humanism award, which will be presented at the gala dinner at the BHA Annual Conference in Cardiff on Saturday 9 June.
The award is in recognition of his tireless campaigning on issues supported by the BHA, which includes his sponsorship of the 2008 Atheist Bus Campaign which raised over £100,000 in its first four days, the 2009 Please don’t label me billboard campaign which aimed to address the labelling children as if they innately belong to a particular religion, the 2010 Protest the Pope march and rally which saw over 10,000 people take to the streets to oppose the honour of a state visit being given to the Pope, and the 2011 Teach evolution, not creationism campaign which aims to ensure the Government makes it clear that creationism and ‘intelligent design’ are not scientific theories and to prevent them from being taught as such in publicly-funded schools.
Best-selling author Philip Pullman CBE, whose works include the multiple award-winning trilogy His Dark Materials, was the 2011 recipient of the BHA Services to Humanism award.
BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson said, “Richard Dawkins is known for his brilliant and accessible writing on science and evolution and for his consistent and courageous defence of truth, science, and scientific method against superstition and unreason. His clear and rational arguments have been the catalyst for many people embracing humanist beliefs and values, and supporting the campaigns of the BHA. Richard’s has been one of the strongest voices in public debate on issues from ‘faith’ schools and their ability to discriminate, to freedom of speech. We are delighted to have Richard as a guest at this year’s conference and to be able to recognize the important contribution he has made globally.”
Richard Dawkins will be attending the BHA’s annual conference, Beyond Tomorrow: Visions of the Future, in Cardiff from 8-10 June to accept the award and speak at the gala dinner. The event is open to the public. Tickets and details are available at http://bhaconference.org.uk/