World Humanist Congress in DC
The triennial "World Humanist Congress" marks its first appearance in the U.S. in 20 years, being held in Washington, D.C. at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel. It is organized by the International Humanist and Ethical Union, "the international union of humanist societies". There are actually several different international and national humanist groups having their conferences all together. There seems to an eclectic mix of interest in secular humanism, non-religious humanitarian aid, church/state separation, womens rights, bioethics, and other issues.
Here is a brief excerpt from the event web site:
Speakers include U.S. Representative Fortney H. "Pete" Stark, the first openly nontheistic member in Congress; Maryland State Senator Jamie Raskin; Philip Pullman, author of The Golden Compass; Feminist Majority Foundation President Eleanor Smeal; Judge John E. Jones of the famous Dover, Pennsylvania, "intelligent design" case, planetary scientist Carolyn Porco, IHEU President Sonja Eggerickx, AHA President Mel Lipman, Rob Boston of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Lori Lipman Brown of the Secular Coalition for America, and many others.
The full conference schedule also reveals that the NCSE's Eugenie Scott will be a participant. Another notable event will be the presentation of the "Humanist Religious Liberty Award" to Judge Jones.