How do I get involved with the project?

Could you represent the views of humanists and non-religious people to your local authority and local equality networks?

Would you like to represent local humanists and the non-religious in dialogue between different religion and belief groups in your community?

Could you work constructively with religious representatives, religious groups and local government representatives in work regarding equality and social cohesion?

The project is designed to complement the good work currently done by humanists and humanist groups at a local level.  All the evidence we have suggests that the non-religious are systematically excluded from regional bodies that bring together people with different religions and beliefs.  The lack of understanding by Government bodies of the need to include the non-religious as stakeholders or partners has repercussions for broader equality and human rights networks, as well as social cohesion in general.

The longer-term aims of the project are:

• to ensure that local authorities understand that they cannot discriminate between people with religious and non-religious beliefs
• to ensure that all equality networks recognize the benefits of working with the whole of the ‘religion and belief’ equality strand, and not just with religious groups
• to ensure that the relevant community forums and networks include people who can represent the interests of people with non-religious beliefs

In order to achieve this we need to identify people who are ready to take on this role as soon as an opportunity arises.  All volunteers will receive support and become part of a wider local development network of individuals who will sit on community bodies to represent the views of humanists and the non-religious.  The time commitment depends on the local networks involved but is also down to the individual volunteer.

If you would be interested in this work, and can meet the requirements laid out below, please contact local@humanism.org.uk as soon as possible. 

• humanist / non-religious beliefs
• a member of the BHA or willing to join
• a strong commitment to equality, human rights, and social cohesion
• a strong commitment to participation and local engagement
• ability to engage and work constructively with religious and interfaith groups on equality, human rights and social cohesion issues
• able to attend meetings in the local area and not overstretched with too many other time commitments
• willing to read briefings from the BHA and other relevant organisations on key issues
• willing to report to the BHA on the issues that arise
• committed to sharing experiences and good practice with counterparts in other parts of the country, e.g. through an e-group