So, to Make a Difference, bringing your people power into play, just follow the HinS hashtag @humbelvalact  or HinS  Facebook Page  via which you can retweet and/or share the brief summary actions & links which we highlight as either needing urgent action and/or regular scrutiny by the large constituency whose collective power, we facilitate. There are also other ways - Volunteering via the choice of activity which local area/regional hubs offer; Advocacy via your openly recommending one or more of the variety of structured groups which pursue the common good; Activism via your formal engagement with a cause that you hold dear :) 

Also please consider this: It is not self-evident as to the relevance

of Humanism in everyday life.

Click HERE to download

Go to Contact Us

Importantly, it is also a two-way street, whereby we in Scotland can solicit UK wide or International support for national level issues of concern to us !

Can't be bad !

We will soon reinstate recent activity via  (* indicates an update*) which will appear at the top of the alpha-order lists of the M a D themed blogs. 

  Further, we have been carefully considering and assessing in the last number of  months,  the effect/*results of many petitions in which we have become involved, and the summary is staggering, proving that this brings people power into reality. So we intend to continue with that, encouraging more and more of those who wish to join us in making a difference.

See * results  HERE

At Humanism in Scotland, we engage with a large world-wide network of like-minded organisations and individuals, across both national and international domains, who notify us day and daily, of insight, heads up, happenings or issues about which they are in concert with our ongoing concerns as people who enact our individual and collective reponsibilities and interdependence.

In  Alphabetical  Order

Advocacy / Amnesty / Armchair Activists / Change / Child philosophy / Children's rights / Common Weal / Corporate Malevolence / Death with Dignity / Disability Equality Scotland / Education / Equality & Diversity / Fairtrade / Fauna & Flora / Four Paws / Friends of the Earth / Global Citizen & Justice / Gl Warming Reality 350 /  Government Nonsesnse / Greenpeace / Humanist Decrees / Human Rights / Independent Age / MQ Mind / NHS & Health / One / Peta / Pollenators / Psuedo Science / Student Activism /Sum of Us / Unstoppable 38d / Various >

You can also suggest a topic of concern for coordinated action. Go to HERE

See this Feb/2018 sumary from Global Citizen & Justice news digest HERE

8 men have the same wealth as the world's poorest 50% - yes it's true !

Current Digest See HERE

News of Monsato combining with Bayer needs watching !!

The Common Good ? Bah !!

We’ve released new research which goes further by highlighting how some super-rich, global capitalists who have bought into the system with vast tracts of land in Scotland are linked to scandals of worker exploitation, human rights abuses and disregard for the environment around the world. and be amazed!

See HERE

Our advocates are supporters who can bring their observations, experiences and/or especialisms into focus for our organisation to respond as appropriate.

Our advocates also include those with direct health experiences in the likes of kidney, lung or bowel disease. 

Suggestions for those who wish to add to the portfolio of supporters or for any other  aspects can submit via registering via . . .   See HERE

For half a century, Israel has stolen over 1,000km² of land in my country to make way for their own settlements. That’s land about the size of Glasgow and Manchester combined.

To make room for over half a million Israeli settlers, they’ve demolished over 50,000 Palestinian homes and buildings. I cannot put into words how heart-breaking this has been for every single Palestinian affected.Annual Report on the state of the world's human rights.See HERE

This year's report covers investigations and surveys of over 159 countries, which reveal grave violations of human rights around the world. See HERE

But 2016 wasn't all bad . See HERE

The term ‘armchair activists’ tends to be used in a dismissive way, implying that people who campaign through social media are not doing anything that has significance for impact in the real world. This fails to acknowledge the potential for many people who, perhaps because of health, mobility issues or caring responsibilities, are unable to take part in things outside their home. The truth is that they have as much to contribute as anyone else. Advances in technology now allow people, without leaving or venturing far from home, to do things that make a real difference – even to saving lives.

The 50:50 initiative want to build an, inclusive, modern and gender balanced Parliament. It would lead to more responsive and informed decision making so everyone would benefit. 50:50 are asking those in power for solutions and taking action. Join us! #5050Parliament

A new initiative with Google _  wheelchair friendly routes on their maps feature !

Hello! Exciting news. We've been noticed. You all got #createwheelchairfriendlyroutes trending! And because of this, we have received Google's attention! They're extremely excited to collaborate and be involved. From this, I've been invited to discuss the possibility of these routes at their local guides event.

Abuse of LGBT people !

With your help, we’ve collected together, 400.000 signatures to submit to the Prosecutor General’s Office in Moscow. We intended to demand a full-scale investigation of the cases of tortures and murders of LGBT people in Chechnya. We were taken into custody when trying to deliver ! This shows how much we continue to need your support !

A new initiative >

UK Supermarkets: Add a "Donate to Foodbank" option for Online Supermarket Shopping

DOMESTIC  ABUSE

A meeting was scheduled with the CPS for Monday of this week but it was postponed until yesterday. I feel that the CPS are very much wanting to work with and for victims of domestic abuse. There are many steps 'we' need to take to make change happen, that first step was signing this petition, again I thank you all from the bottom of my heart! Laws don't change overnight but they can

It’s been one year since British Iranian mum, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, was arrested at the airport and imprisoned in Iran. Her husband Richard has been campaigning ever since to bring her home and reunite his family. 

Last weekend Richard marked the 365 days without his wife by holding a special event. He collected messages from supporters like you and tied them to a tree in one of the family’s favourite parks. See Video HERE

Petition to bring mental heath onto school curricula SEE HERE

Welcome to Change.org. joined to more than 75 million people using the world's largest social change platform to improve their communities and to communicate directly with decision makers.

Petitions and campaigns on Change.org represent the many opinions of millions of people. We don’t take responsibility for their views, nor do we monitor content for legality or accuracy.

We do not have a position or endorse any petitions on our platform, which means the true power of Change.org is with the millions of people who use the platform every day.

Weekly philosophy sessions in class can boost primary school pupils' ability in maths and literacy, a study says.  More than 3,000 nine and 10-year-olds in 48 UK schools took part in hour-long sessions aimed at raising their ability to question, reason and form arguments.

A study for the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) found pupils' ability in reading and maths scores improved by an average of two months over a year.

For disadvantaged children, the study found writing skills were also boosted.

The trial of the Philosophy for Children programme (P4C) focused on children in Years 4 and 5 - aged nine and 10.

It was part of efforts by the charity, EEF, to evaluate ways in which schools are spending pupil premium money beneficially on children from poorer backgrounds.

The disadvantaged pupils in the trial, those on free school meals, saw their reading skills improve by four months, their maths by three months and their writing ability by two months.

SNAP Scotland's National Action Plan for Human Rights. This is a road map for activating children's rights. By raising awareness and understanding of rights in health, social care, housing, justice, living standards and safety, we help to focus on the role of children as victims of social and political, as well as economic injustice and discrimination.

A rights-based analysis of budget decisions in which we disaggregate for the impact on children would help to prevent outcomes like the negative impact of welfare cuts on child poverty.  Humanists in Scotland must get behind the work of the Scottish Human Rights Commission in particular to tackle the problem of human rights for children.

A child's perspective on Gay marriage . . .

http://www.myuncleswedding.com/

The demographics of Independence . . . .See HERE

 Starting to answer the big questions on Independence

source via . . . HERE

SCOTLAND'S ECONOMY - IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS

Weeks of bad news show the uncontrolled free-market approach to Britain's economy is failing. But top-down control of the economy didn't work well either. So is that it? Common Weal says 'not in Scotland'. It has published a landmark report outlining how we create a different kind of industrial strategy for Scotland. It's time we did things different – and this is how.

Common Weal is a 'think and do tank' campaigning for social and economic equality in Scotland.

What is George Osborn doing ? Austerity whilst corporate piracy remains untouched . . . On Black Friday this week and thanks to their incredibly aggressive tax dodging schemes, Amazon will pay barely any tax on it. For every £100 they made in the UK last year, they paid just *2 pence* in tax.

Who do you think should be writing the terms of the huge trade deal between the EU and the US that’s currently being negotiated? Politicians? European citizens? Or corporate lobbyists, paid hundreds of thousands of Euros a year to push a big business agenda in Brussels?

We’ve teamed up with Corporate Europe Observatory to find out who’s lobbying on TTIP, and it’s pretty disturbing to read. We found that some of the biggest increases in lobbying spending came from the finance sector and big pharma. Not the most trustworthy people when it comes to protecting European citizens.

We’ve created a set of graphics to highlight the most important details we’ve uncovered. With TTIP talks happening right now, it’s never been more important to spread the word about big business’ involvement in the deal. The more people that see them, the harder it will be for European politicians to justify this dangerous corporate power grab.

Have a look at the infographics yourself -- and then share them on Facebook or by forwarding this email, so that everyone knows who’s really writing TTIP.

In  present day life, where  instability is increasingly the norm, there is one constant amongst all of this turbulence!

Namely . . .  Us!

Great news from Victoria in OZ ! See HERE

How Oregonians won the right to die See HERE

The groundswell of public support for dignity in death See HERE

Most of us have strong views about being kept alive artificially with no prospect of recovery   Court ruling no longer needed see HERE

See HERE For our thanks to those who have pursued our right to enact that which we choose in intolerable end of life conditions

Update  see HERE

Our resolve and determination is constant and genuinely humbling and in the past year since parliament failed to legalise assisted dying, we have shown that we're up for the challenge. That is good to know, because in 2017, there are some groundbreaking new campaigns planned, needing our continued support.

Andt it is no exaggeration to say that this year has been one of the most successful years ever for assisted dying.

California and Colorado both now have assisted dying laws. Together with Canada, it is clear that law makers are now starting to realise the consequences of inaction.

Further, read the message from Desmond Tutu who wishes a dignified death in the manner of his choosing !  See HERE

The Campaign continues . . . last December, we were invited to speak at the 'End of Life Care Forum' in London.    To see the Forum - See here

To prompt an email to the organisation - Go here

Disability Equality Scotland Issue # 47 - page 23 features HinS

Many of us take getting out and about for granted, enjoying the normal day-to-day activities.  But many don't !

Thousands of people need Changing Places toilets to enable them to do that 

The Changing Places Consortium launched its campaign in 2006 on behalf of the 1/4 of a million people who cannot use standard accessible toilets.This includes people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, as well as older people.

Following concerted effort by humanists and secularists re the creeping inclusion of creationism and young earth proponents in the science curriculum at some Scottish schools, Dr Alasdair Allan MSP - The Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages has formally declared that creationism should not be taught in science classes.

The extensive media coverage trumpeted . .

'Education Scotland does not indentify

creationism as a scientific theory'

Further, this positive outcome got the attention of around 300,000  'Likes' on social media . . people have power !

We are very happy to report that, yesterday, the Scottish Government published new proposals to very much improve the gender recognition arrangements for trans people. If implemented in full, the changes would bring Scotland's gender recognition laws up to best international practice.

Humanism in Scotland supported and now welcome the Scottish First Minister's apology for the harm meted out to LGBTI persons in days gone by

Dear Ron & all at Humanism in Scotland . . .  Thank you for all your support for LGBTI equality in 2016. We wish you season's greetings and all the best for 2017!

Yours for equality,

Becky, Hannah, James, Jenni, Lynne, Mel, Oceana, Sam, Scott, Tim and Vic

The Equality Network team

Thanks to Co-op’s new commitment, thousands of farmers can now look forward to a brighter, more secure future. They’ll receive an extra £350,000 a year in Fairtrade Premium to invest in their farms and communities, for example in training to help them better care for their cocoa trees and adapt to climate change.

We’d love you to meet some more of the people who make Fairtrade go. They’re the grassroots movement behind the UK’s passion for fairness.See HERE

click to add your name   We did it, Ron!

Thanks to you and your supporters, we’ve just handed in a letter to No 10 with over 50,000 signatures and a clear message for Theresa May. Adding your name lets the government know that you care about the people behind your food.

We’ve asked the Prime Minister to publicly commit to trade that delivers a fair deal for farmers and workers in our post-Brexit trade negotiations.

Our vice president, Sir David Attenborough, has previously been given the honour to name a baby gorilla - largely due to his pivotal role in the recovery of these charismatic creatures.

After witnessing their plight in 1979 , he returned to the UK and immediately met with FFI to discuss what could be done to turn their fortunes around.

He describes gorilla conservation work since then as "an example to the whole world of what can be done if you really care." Today, we can proudly report that there are twice as many mountain gorillas in existence than when he first saw them.

Tips for a plastic free home  See   HERE

August 2017 newsletter  HERE

The big gains in 2016     See HERE

Climate Reality has a new fact sheet, with all the facts Climate 101: What is Renewable Energy?

Tell the European Investment Bank to show its commitment to achieving the Paris goals by committing to deny funding the Trans Adriatic Pipeline. HERE

See the latest reality Blog HERE

This is why the climate crisis is ultimately a human issue – because our health, our livelihoods, and our homes are directly impacted by the changes happening in our environment. 

So, what do hurricanes Harvey and Irma have to do with climate change?

The climate crisis intensifies the impact of hurricanes. Here’s how:

1. By adding fuel to the fire, climate change makes hurricanes more devastating. As sea surface temperatures become warmer because of climate change, hurricanes can become more powerful and cause more damage and loss of life.

2.  Climate change is linked to extreme rainfall (and therefore, flooding). As the world becomes warmer, more water evaporates from oceans (and other water bodies) into the air. Hurricanes tap into this moisture-enriched atmosphere and are capable of producing heavier precipitation, and this can result in more flooding when the hurricane approaches land. 

3.  Sea-level rise caused by climate change can greatly increase the storm surge from hurricanes. With higher sea levels, storm surges are able to move further inland and can lead to more widespread and greater damage than they otherwise might. 

More than a decade after former US Vice President Al Gore helped get millions talking about the climate crisis with An Inconvenient Truth, he returns to the big screen next week with the exciting new film An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power. 

The Saami peoples are at the front line of the effects of global warming See HERE

See what 6 climate activists are achieving HERE

Global divestment movement now involving 100+ UK organisations HERE

350.org on Facebook HERE  Follow 350.org on Twitter HERE

See Al Gore kick off the 4th annual 24 Hours of Reality and introduce hope to the climate conversation. Here

Check out the latest content on the science and solutions of climate change HERE

We’re often confronted with the same misinformation about climate change that has been disproved time and time again. That’s why we’ve created our e-book, in which we detail the most common misconceptions and arguments against the reality of man-made climate change – and simple ways to explain why they’re totally wrong.

See    HERE

Also . . piano performance to save the Arctic

Climate Activist Video http://greenpeace.org/LittleExplorer

Last week, Climate Reality Founder and Chairman Al Gore spoke at the 2016 TED

(Technology, Entertainment and Design) conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. This talk came nearly a decade after Vice President Gore last spoke on the TED stage, and we can say with certainty, the future of our planet looks very different today than in 2006. 

See Here

Between media myths from climate deniers and misinformation campaigns from the fossil fuel industry, it can be a challenge to get the unobstructed facts. So to help set the record straight, we’re letting you know 10 major changes scientists have seen in our climate system

The Climate Reality Project tells us the truth -  HERE

Also, the 10 important conclusions from COP21 (Paris Dec 2015) which reveals the rose tinted glasses/hype !

See them -  here

#See also >  Hansen.2013.PLOS ONE

#GW CC ppt Slide Presentation

An atmospheric CO2 level of 350 ppm (parts per million) is that at which the world we know and love can remain sustainable for the continued existence of humankind.

A 'Venus Syndrome' would arise if the energy imbalance of our planet reached the  tipping point > being that at which global warming would reach the level at which it was incompatible with life as we know it.  Such is the planet Venus.

The culprits in all of this  . . energy- oil/coal      transport    renewables     fossil fuel business as usual =  'BAU'   myths of clean coal   energy inefficiency    human irresponsibility   recycling   carbon capture

eg amongst others, including the Catholic church >  Its time for Norway, having the largest national pension fund in the world, to stop profiting from investment in the climate destruction arising from fossil fuels, including coal - leave it in the ground !

'Storms of  my Grandchildren'

Dr James Hansen

  ISBN 978-1-4088-0746-0

Dramatic changes to our planet like glaciers calving into the sea and record-setting temperatures make front page headlines around the world. But while other disruptions caused by the climate crisis – such as the transformation of our planet’s water cycle – are a little less immediately striking, they can be even more profound and far-reaching. 

The consequences can also seem confusing and contradictory. How is it even possible that climate change increases our risk of both heavy rains and extreme droughts? 

Read about the significance of 'The Water Cycle'  . .See HERE

Funding needed to sustain our efforts to negate the TRUMP syndrome !

HELP HERE

Update on several crucial developments . . HERE

We couldn't have done this without you & your supporters !

For review of 2016 . .See HERE

It is widely accepted amongst scientists in the realm of climate and related natural extreme weather events, of the inconvenient truth that the already existing 400+ppm C02 is locked into the atmosphere for 100’s of years.  Of concern alongside that, is  the seeming denial that business as usual - the burning of fossil fuels - is ok for investment by penion funds etc . . 

The reality is that at that level of CO2, climate chaos is unstoppable and we are therefore on the road to the tipping point  ‘a la planet Venus’ scenario   As always  Ron

A recent Guardian media group initiative amassed >216,000 supporters in challenging the Gates foundation and Wellcome trust re their investment portfolios in furthering coal extraction . . the root cause of global warming.  The fact is that the climate is heading for a +4 C degree increase, via already existing C02 levels and our correspondence in support of their campaign caused us to write to their project >

Subject: Fao SIR WILLIAM CASTELL - CHAIR  - WELLCOME TRUST

Dear Sir William,

Whilst recognising the undisputed extent of your organisations’ humanitarian outreach, we are dismayed by its continued investment portfolio in support of fossil fuel extraction.  Although it is well accepted that limiting our world temperature to a +2C degree rise is that which allows our planet to continue in sustaining humankind, at the current level of 400+ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere, we are on track within a generation for some +4C degrees rise, which, left unchecked, will cause a level of devastation which is frankly, unimaginable.

We call on you to join with others, the growing adoption of divestment policy, for the common good of humanity and our interdependence on all that we hold dear.

Yours Sincerely

Ron  McLaren   Chair   Humanism in Scotland                   

01337 842352    078 541 14898   secularon@gmail.com   dispute over the London Oratory School's admissions arrangements – a dispute that was triggered when we objected to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator over two years ago, alleging that the arrangements broke the School Admissions Code. The latest decision was a judicial review of a decision the OSA made last summer

UPDATE

15 Jul 2015 — On Monday Marie Rimmer tabled an Early Day Motion calling on the Government to ensure the disclosure of the number of incapacity benefit and employment and support allowance claimants who have died since November 2011 until May 2014, in full and without further delay.

It has already been supported by 25 MP's.
Lets see if we can encourage all Labour and SNP MP's to support Marie Rimmer

Please contact your MP to ask them to give their support to Marie Rimmer's Early Day Motion 285 which asks the Government to disclose the number of incapacity benefit and employment and support allowance claimants who have died since November 2011 until May 2014

https://www.writetothem.com/

Please note that if you had selected email or twitterID in the M a D routine, you would have received this update direct rather than from our website.

Thanks to all 235,000 of us! – who signed my petition calling for the Government to publish statistics showing how many people have died after their benefits were stopped. The past 10 days have been a whirlwind.

First Iain Duncan Smith said they could not publish these figures and accused us of scaremongering. Then David Cameron said that they would be published. But this was swiftly followed by the Government saying that they were appealing against the Information Commissioner’s ruling that they should be publish, saying that publishing this data would lead to “probable misinterpretations” and “was too emotive...and wasn’t in the public interest”. So the Government is still trying to avoid publishing this data. We must keep campaigning!

All of this came to light in a debate secured by Debbie Abrahams MP which you can read here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2015-06-30a.439.0&s=death+while+fit+for+work#g442.5

Please take a moment to email your MP https://www.writetothem.com/ and ask them if they will support the 235,000 people who have signed this petition calling for the Government to publish statistics showing how many people have died after their benefits were stopped.

When/if you receive a response from your MP – please forward it to maggiezed@hotmail.com

Diesel ?  The truth?  see    HERE

This is big: the majority of the krill fishing industry has agreed to voluntarily stop fishing in sensitive Antarctic waters and back the campaign for ocean sanctuaries in the Antarctic.See HERE

EDF are planning to dredge toxic mud prior to Hinckley Point . .See HERE

Massive carbon threat dicovered in Congo  See HERE

Create an Antartica Ocean Sanctuary . .See HERE

You can watch our interview with Sir David Attenborough on our website: HERE

Amazing news! Nicola Sturgeon has announced that Scotland will introduce a Deposit Return Scheme! [1]

This is a huge step forward in the fight to tackle plastic pollution in the UK - Scotland has set an example and now the pressure is on for Wales, Northern Ireland and England to follow their lead.

But none of this would have happened without your help. Tens of thousands of you signed the petition, shared the campaign on social media and contacted your MSPs.You and over 80,000 people have signed the petition urging the government to keep harmful neonicotinoid pesticides away from our bees for good See HERE

The worldwide humanist moral and ethical code is what we're all about, adopted at the tri-annual World Humanist Congress  in The Netherlands in 2002 CE. The most recent 2017 Congress reaffirmed this 2002 version as still relevant.

The decrees of our humanist moral and ethical code, taken either singly or combined, relate to all/any issues that affect or effect human well-being.

Humanism, the outcome of a long tradition of free thought *D1.     has inspired many of the world's great thinkers and creative artists and gave rise to science itself *D2. The decrees of modern Humanism are :

1.         Humanism . . .   is ethical *d1.    It affirms the worth, dignity and autonomy of the individual *d2.    and the right of every human being to the greatest possible freedom, compatible with the rights of others *d3. Humanists have a duty of care to all of humanity including future generations *d4.    Humanists believe that morality is an intrinsic part of human nature based on understanding and a concern for others, needing no external sanction *d5.

2.        Humanism . . .   is rational *d6.    It seeks to use science creatively, not destructively *d7.   Humanists believe that the solutions to the world's problems lie in human thought and action rather than divine intervention *d8.    Humanism advocates the application of the methods of science and free inquiry to the problems of human welfare *d9.   But Humanists also believe that the application of science and technology must be tempered by human values *d10.   Science gives us the means but human values must decide the ends *d11.

3.         Humanism . . .    supports democracy and human rights. *d12.   Humanism aims at the fullest possible development of every human being *d13.   It holds that democracy and human development are matters of right *d14.   The principles of democracy and human rights can be applied to many human relationships and are not restricted to methods of government *d15.

4.         Humanism . . . insists that personal liberty must be combined with social responsibility *d16. Humanism ventures to build a world on the idea of the free person responsible to society *d17. and recognizes our dependence on and responsibility for the natural world *d18.   Humanism is not dogmatic, imposing no creed upon its adherents *d19.   It is thus committed to education free from indoctrination *d20.

5.         Humanism . . .   is a response to the widespread demand for an alternative to dogmatic religion *d21.   The world's major religions claim to be based on revelations fixed for all time, and many seek to impose their world-views on all of humanity.    Humanism recognises that reliable knowledge of the world and ourselves arises through a continuing process of observation, evaluation and revision *d22.

6.         Humanism . . .    values artistic creativity and imagination and recognizes the transforming power of art *d23.   Humanism affirms the importance of literature, music, and the visual and performing arts for personal development and fulfilment *d24.

7.         Humanism . . .    is a life stance aiming at the maximum possible fulfilment through the cultivation of ethical and creative living, offering an ethical and rational means of addressing the challenges of our times *d25.   Humanism can be a way of life for everyone everywhere.    Our primary task is to make human beings aware in the simplest terms of what Humanism can mean to them and what it commits them to *d26.   By utilizing free inquiry, the power of science and creative imagination for the furtherance of peace and in the service of compassion, we have confidence that we have the means to solve the problems that confront us all *d27.   We call upon all who share this conviction to associate themselves with us in this endeavour.  

www.iheu.org.uk   

This theme will include HR as applies to children's rights, as well as any related material derived via the ethos of International Humanism, the Scottish Human Rights Council, UK & Scottish Governance, the European Union, & assorted media etc. 

10,000 campaigners who backed social care petition have succeeded –  A UK Gov't green paper promised by summer 2018 > PEOPLE POWER AT WORK

Independent Age does exactly what it says on the tin.

When Katherine realised her mum's care home was not satisfactory, she had to make a difficult decision . . .See HERE

See New MQ-funded research reveals that rolling out evidence-based school bullying interventions could prevent over 24,000 cases of bullying each year, significantly improving mental health for thousands of young people and saving the UK economy £348 million per year group.An amazing 24,000 of you have now sworn to take on mental illness in young people once and for all.

And our collective pledge is desperately needed.

75% of mental illnesses start before the age of 18, and it takes on average a decade for young people to get the right support.

So together we made a promise to take this crisis on, and we’re pleased to say our message is being heard where it matters.

We hit the headlines across tabloids, broadsheets and online featuring in the likes of the Guardian - where Alistair Campbell got a little ‘sweary’ - and in the Metro and Sun, where YouTube vlogger Sam Chapman, and TV presenter Julia Bradbury, shared their personal stories of mental health.  

Passionate people who dream of a brighter future have made the impossible happen, but only by joining forces.

Shared determination is the most powerful tool we have to drive change. Now it's the turn of mental health.

Stand up for action against this blight on humanity....   See HERE

Thank you for e-mailing your councillors to tell them how important ‘life support’ services are. You can read our briefing and find out more about the campaign on our website.

We will keep you up-to-date as the campaign to protect and improve ‘life support’ services progresses.

We support the promotion of this new app and particularly to students – signposting people who may have need in its ethos  See HERE

• Emoodji is the app for the ups and downs of university life, a free app by Mind the mental health charity.
• Take a selfie or a photo, choose an emoji that matches your mood to put on your face and send it to your friends – or keep it private.
• The app will then show you how your mood has fluctuated. It’s also packed with tips on how to deal with different aspects of uni life.

The NHS is a central institution in Scottish society. It guarantees in its principles, equal access for all of our citizens, from the cradle to the grave. Healthcare and how it is delivered and to whom it is targeted matters to humanists in Scotland, which is why we support the notions of patient focus and public involvement in the NHS.

Our criteria for a healthy NHS that will safeguard public ownership of its hospitals and its facilities are not rigid or impervious to change. In fact we champion change when it clearly benefits NHS stakeholders. Humanists in Scotland welcome many of those measures coming from the Government which are aimed at essential improvements in the delivery of healthcare. Our guiding imperative is that continuous improvement in the health service is matched step by step with an equity obligation to reduce inequalities in patient provision throughout our hospitals and clinics.

The moral case for the continued existence of a protected NHS in Scotland derives its strength from the basic humanist premise of distributive justice, which is a cornerstone of biomedical ethics.  Fairly distributing benefits, risks and costs are a humanist norm of obligation. The concept of vulnerability is one of these categories. In any weakened condition, a patient is at risk of harm, indignity or  loss of their  human rights. The consequent discrimination against the sick and disabled within the healthcare system comes about when patients, and especially the elderly, are marginalised because the system is underfunded, understaffed or used solely as a source of profit. Humanists will always speak out against these injustices.

One way to promote a meaningful defence of the NHS is by getting involved in volunteering. Some humanists in Scotland have become active in spiritual care provision, meeting with patients as part of the chaplaincy outreach in hospitals. Here is one example of a practice that offers spiritual care, irrespective of faith, creed, belief or no belief, all such as secular voices prepared to help with  emotional support to the patient, whatever their religion or mindset. We encourage humanist helpers with materials and the valued experience that some of us at Humanism in Scotland can put at your disposal.

ONE is a campaigning and advocacy organisation of more than eight million people around the world taking action to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa.

We believe the fight against poverty isn’t about charity, but about justice and equality.

Our open letter to leaders, asking them to take urgent action for 130 million girls who are not getting an education? More than 360,000 others all around the world joined you - that's an incredible response. See video HERE

On International Women's Day, we delivered your letter.We believe that none of us are equal until all of us are equal. Join us to stand with women, everywhere. See HERE

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

PETA raises concerns across the world, to which we action our support - Here's some . . .

Chickens spared a lifetine of misery / Fewer greyhounds used, abused & discarded / Fewer primates facing agonising experiments / Fewer animals facing agonies of the fur trade / Geese no longer facing excruciating pain on feather removal / the banning of the Spanish Toro de la Vega ritual mutilation of a bull / 

Hi Ron > a staggering 1.3 million Europeans signed the Stop Glyphosate European Citizens Initiative (ECI). Together we’ve told the European Commission to ban Monsanto’s favourite pesticide, to reform the EU’s pesticide approval procedure, and to set EU-wide mandatory reduction targets for pesticide use. We’ve done it -- and only just in time!

Our campaign to save the bees is winning one victory after another.

Major corporate retailers in the US - like Home Depot and Lowe’s have pledged to stop selling bee-killing pesticides. The EU has also enacted a moratorium, and governments in Canada and the U.S. are taking action as well.

Now a contractor for Bayer -- one of the biggest producers of bee-killing pesticides -- is threatening to sue our movement if we don’t back off.

We love it! This shows just how strong people power is when it comes to creating real change.

Noah’s Ark found says Scots Education Committee member (No. This is not an April Fool's joke) Noah's Ark found says Scots Education Committee member  

humanist satirist and blogger Washiqur Rahman was hacked down not 500 yards from his house, because he criticised religious fundamentalism in a blog Dhaka Bangladesh

reply from my MP. The standard that we should hold other parties to as well.For background, see Tax Dodging Bill

Huge news for our bees: We’ve just learned the EU vote to re-license glyphosate has failed AGAIN

All pollinators are at risk - 900,000 EU citizens to have signed the official EU petition to ban Monsanto's favourite active ingredient -- glyphosate!

Coca-Cola’s dreadful attitude violates the rights of indigenous people as enshrined in international treaties. But you can stop this by sharing this video to raise awareness of the Guarani’s plight.  See HERE

We can’t let mega-corporations like PepsiCo, Nestle, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, and McDonald’s sweep the destruction of this priceless ecosystem under the rug.

See HERE

The government in Ontario, Canada just issued a moratorium to block Nestlé from sucking up water from a small community experiencing drought conditions! People power !

We at HinS and our supporters made something amazing happen. The EU refused to give Monsanto’s cancer-causing ingredient - glyphosate - the green light. It’s delayed the decision 18 months while glyphosate is re-evaluated. That’s a big win for us !

SumOfUs is 12,243,161 people stopping big corporations from behaving badly.

Monsanto under attack > See the effect of people power > HERE

It’s been a ground-breaking three months for SumOfUs. Powered by your generous financial support, and the efforts of our millions of members around the world, together we’ve pressured many corporations to choose people (and the planet) over profits.

Check out this video here

We are a movement of consumers, investors and workers channelling the power of groups of people to create change, counterbalancing the power of large corporations to forge a just, sustainable path for the global economy.  We tackle any/all corporate issues which are contrary to the well being of humanity and our interdependence on our planet's flora and fauna.

SumOfUs is a worldwide movement of people like us, working together to hold corporations accountable for their actions and forge a new, sustainable path for our global economy.

Have a great idea for a SumOfUs campaign ? -  the best ones could be actioned by the whole SumOfUs community.

More than a third of the students (349) at North Berwick High have signed a petition challenging Christianity’s monopoly in Religious Observance and School Assemblies. In order to express their views more freely, they have set up their own newspaper, The Contender, of which the first two numbers are available on line here and here, and obtained a grant to pay for a print edition. These actions have attracted well-deserved media attention both locally and UK-wide, and are likely to be discussed by the Scottish Youth Parliament.

Strange as it may seem, all the students are demanding is that the school act according to  policies stated  which are based on the Scottish Government’s current guidance letter. Both the handbook and the guidance letter say, in identical language, that “[M]any school communities contain pupils and staff from faiths other than Christianity or with no faith commitment, and this must be taken fully into account in supporting spiritual development. It is of central importance that all pupils and staff can participate with integrity in forms of religious observance without compromise to their personal faith” and that “There should be a clear distinction between assemblies devised for the purpose of religious observance and assemblies for other purposes such as celebrating success.”

(School handbook; also official Scottish Government guidance)

There should be a clear distinction between assemblies devised for the purpose of religious observance and assemblies for other purposes such as celebrating success.

 

Tell the EU's Frans Timmermans to stick to his word and deliver real action against plastic waste!

This is a huge step towards stopping the Rupert Murdoch takeover. In the next few weeks, we will have more to do. But for now, why not take a minute to watch this video on all we’ve done - then share it with your family and friends?

See HERE

38 Degrees is the angle at which snowflakes come together to form an avalanche – together we're unstoppable.

See HERE   and take action :)

Dear Member of Parliament,

Farmers are throwing away tonnes of fresh food because supermarkets only accept “perfect” fruit and vegetables of an exact shape and size.

As my MP, please can you help change this by attending the debate on the Food Waste (Reduction) Bill? If you attend the debate and support this new law supermarkets would have to stop rejecting perfectly good food.

Poverty is sexist see HERE

Thomas Cook: Stopped Promoting Trips to Swim with Captive Dolphins

Engage with Global Citizen if you wish to explore a range of issues which demand our attention and action . . .

Here's some other general examples . . .

Intervene in corporate self serving irresponsibility.

Jewson selling decking made from rain forest destruction.    

Lidl's exploitation of vulnerable workers, in Thailand’s shrimp processing plants

KFC using Indonesian palm oil for cooking  . .result =  deforestation.  So too PepsiCo's denying their irresponsible palm oil policy in their Doritos manufacture, using a benign 'Quaker man' image.

Humanist mobilisation worldwide to bring an end to blasphemy legislation.

Cracking down on  HSBC, advocating punishment to the full extent of the law in their tax evasion activities.

many of the world’s largest telecom giants and websites operate out of the United States, these rules have the potential to directly control access to the free and open Internet around the world.

The SFO knows as well as we do that HSBC should be facing a criminal prosecution. Under this leadership the Serious Fraud Office has launched investigations against companies like Barclays and GlaxoSmithKline when there was a clear public interest. If enough of us report HSBC to the SFO, we can persuade him to investigate this bank too.

Through our involvement with 350.org, together we just scored the biggest coal divestment commitment to date.

One of the world’s biggest coal investors, Norway’s $900 billion sovereign wealth fund, has agreed unanimously to ban coal investments. And this happened just hours after we delivered your #DivestNorway petition signatures to politicians yesterday (while projecting tweets from coal activists around the world onto giant screens outside the Norwegian parliament)!

Next up is the Vatican, to do likewise . . people power is great !