This week Jane Donnelly and Michael Nugent met with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to discuss our concerns about the proposed Education about Religions and Beliefs (ERB) and Ethics course for Primary Schools in Ireland. The Forum on Patronage and Pluralism recommended...
Atheist Ireland had a breakthrough dialogue yesterday with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan, at the first ever formal meeting between an Irish Prime Minister and an atheist advocacy group in the history of the State. We were represented by chairperson Michael...
At 6.30 pm this Tuesday Atheist Ireland will have the first ever meeting of the Taoiseach with atheist advocacy group and the Minister for Education, as part of the dialogue process between Government and religious and nonreligious philosophical bodies. This will be the first time...
After considerable work behind the scenes in recent weeks, a new International Coalition Against Blasphemy Laws is launched today. Our website is at http://end-blasphemy-laws.org. It includes the most comprehensive available country data and profiles adapted from the most recent IHEU Freedom of Thought Report. You...
Michael Nugent discussed the Charlie Hebdo cartoons and Irish blasphemy law yesterday on BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback with William Crawley, and on Today FM’s The Last Word with Matt Cooper and David Quinn. BBC Radio Ulster with William Crawley Today FM with Matt Cooper and...
Atheist Ireland today sent this submission to the Children’s Rights Alliance on the UN Convention on Rights of the Child. It is part of the process of briefing the UN before the UN questions Ireland about fulfilling its obligations under this Convention. Contents 1. Article...
The International Humanist and Ethical Union has released its Freedom of Thought Report 2014, which is an annual global report on discrimination against humanists, atheists, and the non-religious, and their human rights and legal status. Atheist Ireland contributed information about religious discrimination in Ireland to...
Michael Nugent and Jane Donnelly attended the Irish Youth Councils’ national showcase event in Croke Park yesterday, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the UN Convention on Rights of the Child. Comhairle na nÓg are Youth Councils in the 34 City and County Development...
Michael Nugent and Jane Donnelly attended the launch of the Catherine McGuinness Fellowship on Children’s Rights and Child Law yesterday. The fellowship is a one-year position for newly qualified barristers, who will work with the Children’s Rights Alliance Legal and Policy Team. Atheist Ireland...
Yesterday Michael Nugent represented Atheist Ireland at a consultation meeting of the Irish Children’s Rights Alliance, to kick-start the process of briefing the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child before it questions Ireland about its obligations under the most widely accepted...