Venue: Queensferry Hotel , North Queensferry

Outline of the day’s business

10.00 Welcome and an introduction to the Society's current strategy for renewal. Bob McKay Convenor of Humanist Society, Scotland.

10.30 End of Life Choices – Margo MacDonald speaks about her Bill, shortly to be debated by the Scottish Parliament. Followed by questions and discussion.

11.30 End of Life Choices – legal and ethical? Dr. Alasdair Maclean of the Law Department at Dundee University will speak about the legal and ethical implications of such legislation. Followed by questions and discussion.

13.00 Lunch.

14.00 An international perspective, we’ll hear from Werner Schultz on how an attempt to legitimate Religious Education in German schools was defeated in a referendum by humanist activists.

14.45 Equality for same-sex couples with Tim Hopkins, Policy Project Coordinator for the Equality Network. (The Equality Network is a national organisation working for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality in Scotland).

15.45 Time for Tea! 

16.00 Propositions – a new departure for the HSS Conference. Can conference agree one or more propositions based on today’s discussions which can be passed on to the Board of Trustees as recommendations for the Society’s future policy and strategy? 

The Annual General Meeting was held on Sunday 26 April 2009, at The Playhouse, MacRobert Arts Centre, Stirling University, Stirling

Annual Conference - Saturday 25th October 2008

“The Impact of Humanism on Scotland in the 21st Century”

• Religious Apartheid In Scottish Schools. The EIS may accept the RC Church’s veto on teachers but does the HSS? Keir Bloomer, former official in the EIS and retired Direction of Education will outline a possible plan of action.
• Education. Schools need to provide alternatives to religious observance/instruction for pupils. Two parents will recount their experiences of following guidelines provided by the HSS and taking on their local education authority.
• Bioethics. Our recently formed Bioethics committee will outline their work to date and plans for the future.
• Open Forum. Suggestions for topics for discussion will be welcomed and should be forwarded to organiser before conference to ensure their inclusion.
  

Venue

The Queensferry Hotel, North Queensferry.

Modern Hotel set amid hillside gardens on the north shore of the Firth of Forth with panoramic views of the bridges.

Conference will run from 10am till 5pm with the added option of dinner, an evening of discussion and overnight accommodation

Costs
Special Discounted Rates

All Day (10am – 5pm inc lunch and breaks) £35
All Day plus Dinner (10am – 5pm inc lunch and breaks and dinner) £59
Residential package (All Day Plus Dinner, overnight accommodation and breakfast) £139