Freethought University Alliance

Launch event a success

// March 27th, 2010 // No Comments » // Global Atheist Convention

MEDIA RELEASE

The new Freethought University Alliance, a coalition of atheist, skeptic, humanist and secular campus groups in Australia, was successfully launched at the 2010 Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne last weekend.

Over 100 students attended the event from 20 different universities from around Australia.

Jason Ball, 22-year-old Arts undergraduate from the University of Melbourne, was elected as President and Victorian State Convener, while Scott Sharrad from Adelaide University was elected for the position of General Secretary and South Australian State Convener.

“It’s my hope that by forming this alliance we’ll be able to work together as a coherent student movement dedicated to promoting science, reason and secular values on our campuses and also in the wider community” said Ball.

Other State Conveners elected included Alex Holmes (ACT), Charo Serventy (NSW), Matt Jacob (WA), Jonothan Meddings (QLD) and Jeremy O’Wheel (TAS)

The Alliance will aim to foster networking between the leaders of the campus groups, allowing them to share ideas to increase their impact and membership base, and to assist students forming new groups.

The launch event was covered by The Age in ‘Atheist Convention’s first secular success‘ (13/03/10) written by religious editor Barney Zwartz.

PZ Myers (left) with some of the freethought student leaders at the launch event (left to right) Jason Ball (University of Melbourne), Emily Vicendese (La Trobe University), Alastair Tait (Monash University), Scott Sharrad (Adelaide University), Callum Tyler (RMIT), Brett Edman (University of Newcastle).

Freethought University Alliance to be launched at the 2010 Global Atheist Convention

// March 1st, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Global Atheist Convention, PZ Myers

MEDIA RELEASE

The Freethought University Alliance, a coalition of atheist, humanist, secular and skeptic campus groups from universities across Australia, will be launched at The Rise of Atheism, 2010 Global Atheist Convention.

The Alliance will connect student leaders and help them work together and grow as a collective student movement dedicated to furthering science, reason and secular values in Australian society. The Alliance will provide students with useful advice, resources and networking opportunities, and also support students planning to start new aligned groups on university campuses.

The 2010 Global Atheist Convention is pleased to be sponsoring the launch event of the Freethought University Alliance, to be held at 12:30PM on Friday 12 March 2010 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Special guest PZ Myers, famous atheist and science blogger, will be a guest speaker at the event, which is open exclusively to university students and includes a free lunch.

To register, send an email to jason@umss.org with your name, university and student number.

Places are strictly limited and are filling fast.

Host an atheist student!

// February 20th, 2010 // No Comments » // Couch Surfing, Global Atheist Convention

Do you have a spare bed/couch/mattress?

Do you live near-ish to the Melbourne CBD?

The Freethought University Alliance are looking for people to host interstate student leaders attending the upcoming Global Atheist Convention (12-14th March). The convention, which will feature the likes of Richard Dawkins and PZ Myers, will be an opportunity for atheist student leaders from across the country to meet for the first time to discuss ways to unify and expand our growing student movement.

With the price of registration and travel combined, the cost to attend the convention is already a challenge for many students. However, your kind offer of free accommodation for the weekend could make all the difference. Please help the Freethought University Alliance in our quest to get as many students from all over Australia as possible to attend this spectacular event.

Please email anna@umss.org for more information.