Conference Schedule
Updated as of 9/19/2019
September 21, 2019
Day One: Agenda
9:00am-9:05am
Welcome Address | Dr. S. Ilangovan, Roy Speckhardt
9:05am-9:10am
Plenary Introduction | Dr. Kannabiran Ravishankar
9:10am-10:00am
Plenary | Philipp Möller
Topic: Better without Religion
10:00am-10:20am
Speaker | Rep. Jamie Raskin
Topic: Welcome Address
10:20am-10:30am
Tea Break
10:30Am-10:50Am
Speaker | Toni Van Pelt
Topic: Feminism from a Humanist Perspective
10:50Am-11:00Am
Speaker | Dr. V. Kumaresan
Topic: Periyar EVR and MLK Jr.
11:00Am-11:30Am
Speaker | Ryan Bell
Topic: How to Involve Youth in Humanism
11:30Am-12:00pm
Panel | Periyar Ambedkar Study Circle
Topic: Humanism and Self Respect in the US Diaspora
12:00pm-1:15pm
Lunch
1:15pm-1:40pm
Children and Youth Program
1:40Pm-2:00Pm
Speaker | Dr. Ulrike Niklas
Topic: Global Humanism
2:00Pm-3:00Pm
Breakout Sessions
A. Caste System & DNA Testing | Dr. Madhvi Potluri
B. Social Justice & the Marginalized | Norm R. Allen Jr., Clara Arthur, Arul Veeramani
3:00pm-3:15pm
Tea Break
3:15Pm-4:00pm
Rise Against Hunger: Meal Packaging for the Hungry
4:00Pm-4:20Pm
Speaker | Dr. R. Prabhakaran
Topic: Humanism in Thirukkural
4:20Pm-4:45Pm
Speaker | Debbie Allen
Topic: Responsibility
As humanists, we accept that there is no supernatural power to call upon to repair ourselves, others, or our planet. If something, anything, is going to change for the better, it’s up to us. We are responsible! Let’s explore the ways that taking responsibility is not an unwelcome burden, but the path to confidence, self-respect, and personal fulfillment.
4:45pm-5:15pm
K. Veeramani Social Justice Award
Presented by V. Srinivasan to Prof. Ulrike Niklas
5:15pm-6:00pm
Cocktail Hour
6:00pm-7:00pm
Dinner
7:00pm-onwards
Music & Entertainment
YouTube Contest Screenings
September 22, 2019
Day Two: Agenda
9:00am-9:05am
Welcome Address | Dr. Arasu Chellaiah
9:05am-9:10am
Keynote Introduction & 2019 Humanist Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented by Roy Speckhardt to Dr K. Veeramani
9:10am-9:50am
Keynote Address | Dr. K. Veeramani
Topic: Self Respective Humanism
9:50am-10:10am
Speaker | Prof. George L Hart
Topic: Humanism in Classical Tamil
10:10Am-10:25Am
Speaker | Dr. Kannabiran Ravishankar
Topic: Humanism & the Dravidian Movement
10:25Am-10:40Am
Speaker | Pa. Thirumavelan
Topic: Humanism & Periyar
10:40Am-10:55Am
Speaker | Dr. Sven Wortman
Topic: Evolutionary Humanism
10:55am-11:10am
Tea Break
11:10Am-12:00Am
Speaker | Debbie Goddard
Topic: The Science of Change: Evidence Based Activism
12:00pm-1:15pm
Lunch
1:15pm-4:00pm
Breakout Sessions
1:15pm-4:00pm
Breakout Session | Parallel #A
Humanism and Self Respect in Tamilnadu
1:15PM-2:15PM
Group Discussion | Pa. Thirumavelan with Naanjil Peter & Team
2:15PM-2:40PM
Humanism & Social Justice: | Dr. Thol. Thirumavalavan, Member of Parliament – India.
2:40PM-2:45PM
Break
2:45PM-3:00PM
Tamil Nationalism and Periyar | Pa. Thirumavelan
3:00PM-4:00PM
Group Activity | Dr. K. Veeramani & Guests
1:15pm-4:00pm
Breakout Session | Parallel #B
Practical Humanism
1:15pm-1:45pm
The Oppression of the Patriarchy | Sonijah Davis
1:45pm-2:45pm
Life Problems & Humanist Solutions | Dr. Gary Berg-Cross, Fred Edwords
2:45pm-3:00pm
Break
3:00pm-4:00pm
Building Humanist Communities | Amanda Poppei, Samantha McGuire
4:00Pm-4:25Pm
Speaker | Fred Edwords
Topic: Live a Happier Life with a Free Mind
4:25Pm-4:45Pm
Speaker | Dr. K. Veeramani
Topic: The Future
4:45pm-5:00pm
Closing Remarks | Dr. S. Ilangovan & Roy Speckhardt