{{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 and the second from 13 to 15 of April 2012.

==''The Rise of Atheism''==

The first convention, titled ''The Rise of Atheism'', was held from 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]] as well as [[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=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126050159/http://2010.atheistconvention.org.au/ |archivedate=26 January 2010 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref>

==''A Celebration of Reason''==

The second convention, titled ''A Celebration of Reason'', was held from 13 to 15 April 2012. Over 4,000 delegates attended the three-day event.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontherecord-unisa.com.au/?p=2344 |title=Global Atheist Convention 2012 biggest ever held |last=Jelinek |first=Sean |date=April 23, 2012 |work=[[University of South Australia]] |archiveurl=http://archive.today/2013.01.15-000332/http://www.ontherecord-unisa.com.au/?p=2344 |archivedate=15 January 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref> Christian and Muslim groups protested outside 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 and politics; [[Derek Guille]] was moderator. The panel included speakers [[Dick Gross]], [[Colleen Hartland]], [[Marion Maddox]] and [[Fiona Patten]].

There was a dinner on the Saturday night with performances by [[Tom Ballard]], [[Shelley_Segal|Shelly Segal]], Simon Taylor and [[Mr. Deity|Brian Dalton]]. On the final day there was another panel talk which included Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett and Sam Harris. The event included a tribute to [[Christopher Hitchens]] was also originally booked to attend though died in December 2011.

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

{{commons category|2010 Global Atheist Convention}}

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110401221113/http://2010.atheistconvention.org.au/ The Rise of Atheism 2010 Global Atheist Convention]

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

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

*[https://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}}