What we’re about
Welcome to Human Hearted Canberra.
We are a supportive, inclusive community of people with shared values in the Canberra area. We believe that the key to a flourishing society where everyone can thrive is by focussing on the things that really matter in life. Moving towards finding joy and fulfilment through compassionate connections with each other, working together for a better world, and engaging with music, art and the environment. Moving away from partisanship, consumerism and keeping up appearances.
We are a local community of Humanists Australia. Humanism is more than just a 'lack of religious belief', its a positive life stance. Human heartedness is a humanistic approach to living a better life.
All are welcome to participate in our events to learn, connect and contribute to a flourishing world. We look forward to seeing you at our next event!
If you’re not sure what Humanism is all about yet, take the quiz, or ask us at one of our Meetups. Humanists Australia also runs online discussions and presentations on Humanism. We recommend the Humanists Australia meetup group.
Membership of Humanists Australia is not required to attend our events. We want to serve the broad Canberra community. Nonetheless we would be grateful if you choose to support Humanists Australia, which funds this community and others around the country.
Attendees at our events are expected to adhere to the Humanists Australia Code of Conduct. We do not allow harassment of any kind, or promotion of any goods, services or groups unrelated to humanism (except by prior permission of the organisers).
We changed our name to Human Hearted Canberra in October 2024 - we’re still the same community that's been running since 2015.
Upcoming events
8
- Network event
•OnlineBook Club: Carlo Rovelli - Rules are less important...
Online8 attendees from 3 groupsPlease note this book club session will be online only. It’s okay to attend if you haven’t finished the book, but there will be spoilers. We hope you will try to get through at least some of the book, though, as it makes for a better discussion.
This time around, on the recommendation of someone who attended our last book club meeting (thanks!), we’ll be discussing There Are Places in the World Where Rules Are Less Important Than Kindness by Italian theoretical physicist and writer Carlo Rovelli. As you'll see from the description below, the book covers many different subjects and there should be plenty to discuss.
From Goodreads:
In this collection of writings, the logbook of an intelligence always on the move, Carlo Rovelli follows his curiosity and invites us on a voyage through science, history, philosophy and politics. Written with his usual clarity and wit, these pieces range widely across time and space: from Newton's alchemy to Einstein's mistakes, from Nabokov's butterflies to Dante's cosmology, from travels in Africa to the consciousness of an octopus, from mind-altering psychedelic substances to the meaning of atheism. Charming, pithy and elegant, this book is the perfect gateway to the universe of one of the most influential scientists of our age.
Read the review in The Guardian3 attendees from this group 
Darwin, birds and lizards
Gold Creek Village, O'Hanlon Pl, Nicholls, AUCharles Darwin's theory of evolution is key to understanding humans as part of the natural world. Every year, Humanists around the world celebrate Charles Darwin's birthday, February 12, as a reminder that we are all animals, and part of the living ecosystem of the world.
Darwin's understanding of how living things relate to each other was profoundly influenced by the birds and lizards he observed in the Galapagos Island, so this year Human Hearted Canberrans will celebrate his birthday on February 15 with reptiles and birds, at Canberra Reptile Park and the Walk In Aviary. We'll include lunch in between. All venues are at Gold Creek Village, O'Hanlon Pl, Nicholls. Come to 1, 2 or all 3.
Details:
11am: Meet at Canberra Reptile Zoo, opposite the clock tower. Buy your ticket online in advance or on site. Tickets are $25 for adults, $18 for concessions, $15 for children.
12:30pm: Meet for lunch at George Harcourt Inn. Table will be booked under name "MAC".
2pm: Meet at the Canberra Walk In Aviary. Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 concession, $14 for children.1 attendee
Past events
363
