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 (4+)
See all- Network event11 attendees from 3 groups hostingBook Club: This is How You Lose the Time WarLink visible for attendees
Book Club:This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
It’s okay to attend if you haven’t finished the book, but spoilers will not be avoided. 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 the book club will delve into a Hugo award winning novella – part romance, part science fiction adventure – about two time-traveling rivals who fall in love and must change the past to ensure their future. The story unfolds bit by bit through letters. The reason it was chosen for the Humanist book club is for the questions it raises around how empathy develops and why completely understanding a person need not precede loving them. It’s an unusual book and I hope you’ll give it a go and come discuss it with us. - Network event24 attendees from 4 groups hostingA Human Hearted Answer to the Meaning CrisisLink visible for attendees
Modernity's rational critique has undermined traditional paths to meaning, such as religion and tradition. They have been replaced with an unfulfilling cocktail of consumerist materialism and competitive individualism. Modernity's inability to offer credible paths to a meaningful life sees more and more people exploring alternatives, from hyper nationalism and religious revivalism to fetishizing Star Wars movies to studying Deepak Chopra, from following Jordan Peterson to following Oprah Winfrey, people grasp for meaning to assuage the empty and heartless nature of modern life. In this presentation, Lyndon Storey will present a path forward from today's global civilisation's difficulties to building a new, more human hearted modernity. Taking this alternative path focuses us more on supporting people to live more meaningful and fulfilling lives rather than searching for new idols and engaging in relentless economic competition and warfare.
This event is free. Your donation to help keep these events going is greatly appreciated. Please make your donation at https://www.humanistsaustralia.org/donate
