{{infobox

|above=Global Atheist Convention

|image=

|headerstyle=background:#006496; color:#FFFFFF

|header1=Details

|label2=Years

|data2=2010, 2012

|label3=Location(s)

|data3=[[Melbourne Convention Centre]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]

|label4=Attendees

|data4=2,000+,4000+

|label5=Website

|data5=[http://www.atheistconvention.org.au Official website]

The '''Global Atheist Convention''' has been run twice in [[Melbourne]], [[Australia]], sponsored by the [[Atheist Foundation of Australia]] and [[Atheist Alliance International]]. The first convention was held from 12 to 14 March 2010.

== ''The Rise of Atheism'' 12 to 14 March 2010 ==

Over 2,000 delegates attended, with all available tickets selling out more than five weeks prior to the event.<ref>{{Cite press release| title = Global Atheist Convention - Sold out! | publisher = Atheist Foundation of Australia, Inc.| date = 30 January 2010| url = http://2010.atheistfoundation.org.au/media-releases/global-atheist-convention-sold-out| accessdate = 31 January 2010}}</ref>

=== Presenters ===

[[File:Dawkins at UT Austin 2.jpg|thumb|Richard Dawkins]]

Speakers included evolutionary biologist and bestselling author, [[Richard Dawkins]], [[Catherine Deveny]], [[Phillip Adams]], [[Taslima Nasrin]], [[Peter Singer]], [[PZ Myers]], [[Dan Barker]], [[Stuart Bechman]], [[Sue-Ann Post]], [[Kylie Sturgess]], John Perkins, [[Tamas Pataki]], [[Max Wallace]], [[Russell Blackford]], [[Ian Robinson (rationalist)|Ian Robinson]], [[AC Grayling]], [[Robyn Williams]], Simon Taylor<!--@MrSimonTaylor on Twitter, no bio-->, NonStampCollector, [[Craig Reucassel]] and [[Julian Morrow]]. In addition, a panel of women chaired by [[Maggie Millar]] featured [[Lyn Allison]], [[Tanya Levin]], [[Leslie Cannold]] and [[Jane Caro]] ([[The Gruen Transfer]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://2010.atheistconvention.org.au |title=The Rise of Atheism Website |author=Global Atheist Convention|year=2010 |accessdate=31 January 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100126050159/http://2010.atheistconvention.org.au/?| archivedate= 26 January 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>

== ''A celebration of reason'' 13 to 15 April 2012 ==

Over 4,000<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontherecord-unisa.com.au/?p=2344 |title=Global Atheist Convention 2012 biggest ever held}}</ref> delegates attended the three-day event. Apart from the speakers there were Christian, and Muslim protesters of the event.

=== Presenters ===

Master of ceremonies; [[Kylie Sturgess]] and [[Lawrence Leung]].

Speakers included; [[Ayaan Hirsi Ali]], [[Richard Dawkins]], [[Daniel Dennett]], [[Sam Harris (author)|Sam Harris]], [[Peter Singer]], [[PZ Myers]], [[AC Grayling]], [[Lawrence Krauss]], [[Annie Laurie Gaylor]], [[Catherine Deveny]], [[Eugenie Scott]], [[Leslie Cannold]], [[Tanya Smith]] (AAI President), [[Jason Ball (Australian activist)|Jason Ball]] and [[Geoffrey Robertson]] Q.C.

There was also a panel talk on the intersection of Religion & Politics; [[Derek Guille]] was moderator. The panel included speakers [[Dick Gross]], [[Colleen Hartland]], [[Marion Maddox]] and [[Fiona Patten]].

There was a worldwide premier of the short film Parrot by [[Emma Mckenna]] and Craig Foster.<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1867030/releaseinfo Parrot (2012) Release Info], Internet Movie Database</ref>

There was a dinner on the Saturday night with performances by [[Tom Ballard]], [[Shelley Segal]], Simon Taylor and Brian Dalton, aka [[Mr. Deity]].

On the final day there was another panel talk which had [[Ayaan Hirsi Ali]], [[Richard Dawkins]], [[Daniel Dennett]], and [[Sam Harris (author)|Sam Harris]].

A tribute to [[Christopher Hitchens]] was also done as he was originally booked for the event.

== See also ==

*[[Atheism]]

== References ==

{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==

{{commons category|2010 Global Atheist Convention}}

*[http://2010.atheistconvention.org.au/ The Rise of Atheism 2010 Global Atheist Convention]

*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/atheistfoundation/sets/72157629551820514/ Global Atheist Convention 2010 Flickr feed]

*[http://www.atheistconvention.org.au Global Atheist Convention 2012]

*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/atheistfoundation/sets/72157629634585826/ Global Atheist Convention 2012 Flickr feed]

[[Category:2010 in Australia|Global Atheist Convention]]

[[Category:2012 in Australia|Global Atheist Convention]]

[[Category:21st century in Melbourne]]

[[Category:Atheism]]

[[Category:Conventions in Australia]]

[[Category:Atheism in Australia]]

{{Atheism-stub}}