DOCSLIB.ORG

DOWNLOAD 2019 Annual Report File Type

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
DOWNLOAD 2019 Annual Report File Type Annual Report 2019 Bold and brave. We are the global representative body of the humanist movement. 2 Foreword 3 Foreword Much of 2019 was marked by the ongoing persecution of my dear friend and Board colleague Gulalai Ismail. You will read more in this report about the ongoing requests we continue to receive from humanists at risk around the world. I Annual Report and my fellow members of the Board take these concerns seriously, and in late 2019 2019 approved plans from the Chief Executive to greatly increase the resources available to support humanists at risk. These are needed Contents more than ever. 2019 also was the year where I was re- Introduction 4 elected for the second time directly by our members at the General Assembly. It is a Our objectives 6 Gulalai was detained by Pakistani security huge privilege to be President of Humanists services on her way home from a Humanists International, and I am very grateful to you Our people 7 International Board meeting in October all for your continued support. Our joint 2018. Within minutes of her being detained work for human rights and human progress Key figures 8 our staff were alerted and had begun the has never been more vital and I thank you process of compiling information and Update on Gulalai 10 for allowing me to serve in leading it in the coordinating our global campaign to ensure coming years. her safety. Report on the General Assembly 12 Thank you. Almost an entire year of campaigning and Advocacy 14 lobbying followed. You may remember that when we met in Reykjavik in June 2019, we Our members 20 took a moment to reflect on the situation for our friend, and to redouble our efforts Growth and development 22 to bring her to safety. It was a time of Andrew Copson Young Humanists International 26 high anxiety. President Three months later Gulalai reached safety in Humanists At Risk 28 the United States, where she is now living in Finances 29 asylum. In her own words Gulalai says that Humanists International played a ‘key role’ Plans for growth 32 in getting her to safety. 4 Introduction Introduction 5 I would also like to pay special Introduction tribute to our colleague Bob Churchill, who left the organisation at the end of 2019 after seven years with the organisation. Bob helped to establish a whole supporting our Members and strand of work around human Associates who are also doing rights and the non-religious, this important work. developing the Freedom of Following a significant change Thought Report, coordinating to our internal democracy at the the End Blasphemy Laws 2019 General Assembly, a big campaign, and championing job of work has been undertaken the cause of “humanists at to review our governance risk” casework within the structure and to ensure that we organization. His contribution are effectively set-up to do our to the organization, and the work. Changes to structures will 2019 was another busy wider community, cannot mean that we will have a greater be overstated. year, the official launch degree of separation between It has become clear that we our entities in the UK and the of our new branding and must focus more attention US, this will streamline our and resources on supporting financial processes and make website went really well, the most vulnerable in our our governance and financial community: humanists at oversight more transparent and and we received a lot of risk. Thanks to the increasing robust, as well as bring us in-line support from our Members with good governance practices great feedback from our and Associates, 2020 will see for international NGOs. us grow the staff team so that Thank you for your support, we can scale up the level of our Members and Associates. and a special thank you to my work. Specifically we will hire a staff colleagues and volunteers Gary McLelland Humanists at Risk Coordinator, who work harder than you Chief Executive who will be a senior staff position can imagine. within the organization who will focus on providing support Thank you to humanists at risk, as well as 6 Our objectives Our people 7 The Objectives of Our people Humanists International Our Board Since 1952, Humanists International has been the global representative body of the humanist movement, uniting a President: Vice-president: Treasurer: Board Member: Board Member: diversity of non-religious organizations and individuals. Andrew Copson Anne-France Boris van der Ham Becky Hale United Gulalai Ismail United Kingdom Ketelaer Belgium Netherlands States of America Pakistan We want everyone to live a life of dignity in a world where universal human rights are respected and protected, and where states uphold secularism. We work to build, support and represent the global humanist Board Member: Board Member: Board Member: Board Member: Board Member: movement, defending human rights, particularly those of non- Kristin Mile Kato Mukasa Uttam Niraula David Pineda Roslyn Mould Norway Uganda Nepal Guatemala Ghana religious people, and promoting humanist values worldwide. Until 2 June 2019 From 2 June 2019 Our staff and volunteers Chief Executive: Director of Finance UN, New York: UN, New York: Research: Advocacy: Gary McLelland Advocacy: Administrator: John Wagner Daniel Hoffman Avilia Zavarella Jessica McDonald Elizabeth O’Casey Jean Zong Director of Growth and UN, Geneva: UN, New York: Council of Europe: Advocacy: Communications Development Kacem El Ghazzali Margaretha Jones Renate Bauer Francesca Gallelli and Campaigns: Officer: Giovanni Bob Churchill Gaetani 8 Key figures Key figures 9 Key figures £ 75 delegates Income £102,669 given out at GA (compared to 54 in is up 70% in growth and development grants, the previous year) compared to last year more than 6x the amount of last year We supported Over 400 12 Parliamentarians 96 Humanists people from around the world trained on the Humanist worldview and at Risk took part in 40 Café human rights Humaniste events Average age of GA delegates We delivered 19 15 European Union was 42 statements at the UN and Foreign Office staff 2 at the OSCE trained on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Evangelical influence in Africa and Latin America 10 Update on Gulalai Update on Gulalai 11 Update on Gulalai Gulalai Ismail, a Board member of Humanists International, from Pakistan, was first detained on 12 October 2018 as she returned to Islamabad from a Board meeting in London. Following her detention, Humanists International – and other humanist organisations around the world – led an active campaign to raise awareness of her persecution. Almost one year later, on 19 September 2019, Gulalai sent this personal message to our Members and Supporters: “ I have arrived safely in the United States, and I am on track to get asylum here where I can be safe. The last few months have been awful. I have been threatened, harassed, and I am lucky to be alive. I need you to know how immensely grateful I am to all of you, and to the wider humanist family around the world; by continuing to raise my case and making sure that authorities in Pakistan could not forget about me. The work of Humanists International was key in making sure that the authorities in Pakistan were held to account. I am incredibly grateful to all of you who helped.” 12 Report on the General Assembly Report on the General Assembly 13 Report on the Reykjavik Declaration on the Climate Change Crisis Proposed by the Boards of the European Humanist Federation, Humanists International, and General Assembly Young Humanists International Human beings are part of the natural world, but have a disproportionate effect on the global environment and biodiversity. Throughout history, our species has used the natural world to increase individual and collective wellbeing, and the impact we have is no longer sustainable. Policies adopted by governments should be informed by scientific findings. Governments The 2019 Humanists need to respect the overwhelming conclusions reached by the international scientific community, including that the overuse of natural resources and the increase in greenhouse International General gas emissions is driving catastrophic climate change, threatening the diversity of life on Earth Assembly took place and the sustainability of human societies. Indeed, extreme scenarios pose an existential risk to humanity. The world must act with urgency and in a globally coordinated way to reduce in Reykjavik, Iceland and prevent human contributions to climate change, to mitigate climate impacts and adapt to them. on 2 June. Humanists We recognise: We support: were welcomed by the • The overwhelming scientific consensus • The United Nations Framework Convention that human beings are contributing to the on Climate Change, and the resulting work President of Iceland Mr. climate change trend of global warming; of the 2017 Paris Agreement, and the 2017 United Nations Climate Change • That climate change will adversely affect Conference (COP23); Guðni Th. Jóhannesson. human communities, non-human animals and natural ecosystems; • The urgent work of the scientific, The General Assemblies of Humanists International, Young engineering and activist communities to • The threat to ecosystems caused by Humanists International, and the European Humanist research and deploy new technologies and land-use and resource extraction, Federation were held alongside a conference by the strategies to mitigate the risks to civilisation including commercial deforestation Icelandic Humanists on the theme of “What are the ethical and biodiversity; questions of the 21st century?”. and unsustainable farming; • The need for a global transition to new • That investment in new renewable energy Delegates from around the world discussed and approved ways of using resources and new means technology must happen alongside a a new Reykjavik Declaration on the Climate Change Crisis, of generating energy that will be socially massive reduction in the use of carbon- and approved changes to the Humanists International and environmentally sustainable.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Are You the Next Secretary-General of Young Humanists International?
    Are you the next Secretary-General of Young Humanists International? At its General Assembly on May 30th in Reykjavík, Iceland, Young Humanists International will elect its new Secretary-General. The application deadline is May 14th, 2019. ​ ​ What is Young Humanists International? Young Humanists International or YHI is the youth branch of Humanists International. Young is defined as ages 18 to 35. Our purpose is to build and represent the global humanist movement that defends human rights and promotes humanist values worldwide. We are a dynamic team of young adults all over the world sharing this vision and giving ourselves the mission to bring into active association youth groups and young humanist individuals throughout the world interested in promoting humanism. For more info, visit humanists.international/young! ​ ​ What does a Secretary-General do? The Secretary-General works closely with the President, Vice-President, Communication Officer, and Working Groups to make Young Humanists International what it is. More specifically, the Secretary-General prepares and annotates the monthly Skype meeting with all parties, overlooks all processes related to the internal workings of the organizations (elections of Working Group chairpersons, preparing the General Assembly, being a point of contact, …) and manages all collective resources (Gmail, Slack, Archives, …). What are the perks of being Secretary-General? ● You can attend YHI international meetings and meet young Humanists all over the world, for which YHI does provide limited travel support. ● You can contribute to the network and support young humanists all over the world. ● You will learn more about governing an international community and gain management skills.
    [Show full text]
  • DOWNLOAD 2019 UK Audited Accounts
    H. \I-t Hurnanists INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL HUMANIST AND ETHICAL UNION (operating as HUMANISTS INTERNAIIONAL) FINANGIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019 COMPANY NUMBER FC O2O6r',2 Humanists lnternational is a trading name of the lntemational Humanist and Ethical Union. INTERNATIONAL HUMANIST AND ETHICAL UNION REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2019 The Directors of the lnternational Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), operating as Humanists lnternational, present their annual report with the annualaccounts of the company for the year ended 31st December 2019. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in Note 1 and comply with current statutory requirements. IHEU is the world federation of organizations making up the global humanist movement, inclusive of all nontheistic traditions such as humanist, atheist, rationalist, secularist, laique, ethical culture, freethought, and skeptic. We want a secular world in which human rights are respected and everyone is able to live a life of dignity. We work to build and represent the global humanist movement that defends human rights and promotes Humanist values world-wide. Our Aims are: o We will have successful and sustainable member organisations in every part of the world o We will create a coordinated global movement by supporting and developing our network o We will influence and shape international and regional government policies o We will have sufficient reputation, resources, and effectiveness to achieve our objectives LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS The IHEU is a Membership Corporation pursuant to the Membership Corporation law of the State of New York. lt is registered in England and Wales under the Companies Act as an overseas company having established a place of business in England and Wales.
    [Show full text]
  • Humanism and Christianity: Shared Values?
    Shipton et al.: Humanism and Christianity: Shared Values? WARREN SHIPTON, YOUSSRY GUIRGUIS, AND NOLA TUDU Humanism and Christianity: Shared Values? Introduction The word humanism is derived from the Latin humanitas that originally meant the study of human nature. The idea was to elevate humanity with a focus on human dignity and potential through education (Ritchie and Spencer 2014:15, 16). The meaning attributed to the word humanism, in its broadest sense, allowed Christians and non-believers initially to oc- cupy common territory (64-78). In the early-middle Christian era, some thinkers sought to acquaint themselves with the achievements, literature, and thought of past civilizations, particularly Greek, with a view to rec- onciling theology with the philosophy of the classical philosophers (New World Encyclopedia n.d.; Odom 1977:126-128, 183-186). Outside Christian circles, elements supportive of the pre-eminence of human thought and abilities have long been seen among philosophers; however, not all forms of humanism were atheistic, as seen in Confucian thought (Gupta 2000:8- 12). There also are those who have been called “religious” or “spiritual” humanists (Eller 2010:10). The Medieval civilization that followed the collapse of the Roman Em- pire (AD 476) was marked by the rule of kings with nobles supporting the king in return for privileges. The majority of the population existed in serfdom; the Church reigned supreme. A change came in the 14th century helped by the fact that famine and disease created disaster. The abuses in the Church and the pessimism prevalent in society created a climate for change in Europe.
    [Show full text]
  • Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins Talk Ethics in Oxford Keeping Public
    BHA news BHA news www.humanism.org.uk Issue 3 2011 Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles. What do we live for if not to make the world less difficult for each other? — Attributed to George Eliot Keeping public services fair, inclusive, and secular The BHA is at the forefront of the to provide those services through its campaign to keep public services ‘Poppy Project’. The Salvation Army, an shared, inclusive, and secular. Since we evangelical organisation, has previously published our report and policy paper declared to parliament that it would on public service reform, Quality and be ‘impossible’ for it to be ‘religiously Equality: Human Rights, Public Services neutral’ in the provision of public and Religious Organisations (http:// services. The Salvation Army’s position tinyurl.com/Q-EReport) in 2007, we have statement on homosexuality also details been working hard for legal and policy homosexual behaviour as ‘self evidently changes to ensure that religious groups abnormal’ and condemns gay people to a cannot discriminate when they provide life of celibacy. public services. We’ve also been trying We believe that it is deeply to publicise the issues at stake, which, ones. In fact, many religious groups which concerning that the government has in light of more public services being wish to take on the delivery of public considered it appropriate to stop contracted to religious organisations, are services may be particularly conservative, contracting with an organisation specialist getting evermore serious for employees, evangelical, unrepresentative, or in working with victims of sexual service users, and the public alike.
    [Show full text]
  • Scott Douglas Jacobsen In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal Interviews 01/14/2017
    SCOTT DOUGLAS JACOBSEN IN-SIGHT: INDEPENDENT INTERVIEW-BASED JOURNAL INTERVIEWS 01/14/2017 An Interview with Lawrence Hill (Part Two) on January 8, 2017 An interview with Lawrence Hill. He discusses: the motivation for compassionate truth; religious or secular worldview influencing it; long time to write novels and this as either part of habit or personality; view on books in terms of their personal importance; strengths and weaknesses of the writing style; reason for writing more non-fiction than fiction; importance of nearly dying; importance of Malcolm X as an influence on him; influence of Martin Luther King on him; meaning of blood to him; and the dangers of associating blood with race or religion. Keywords: author, blood, Lawrence Hill, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, novelist, race, religion, writer. An Interview with Lawrence Hill (Part One) on January 1, 2017 An interview with Lawrence Hill. He discusses: geographic, cultural, and linguistic family background; familial influence on development; parents’ love story; influence on parents’ relationship on him; influences and pivotal moments in major cross-sections of life; being read to each night by his mother; journalistic experience influencing writing to date; self-editing for writers; number of drafts; singer- songwriter brother, Dan Hill, influence on professional work; recommended songs for listening pleasure by Dan; affect of Karen Hill’s mental illness and death on him; advice for coping with the emotional pain; Café Babanussa (2016) and an essay inside called On Being Crazy; and Karen’s written work and impact on him. Keywords: author, Canadian, Dan Hill, Karen Hill, Lawrence Hill, novelist, writer.
    [Show full text]
  • Are You the Next Vice-President of Young Humanists International? At
    Are you the next Vice-President of Young Humanists International? At its General Assembly on May 30th in Reykjavík, Iceland, Young Humanists International will elect its new Vice-President. The application deadline is May 14th, 2019. ​ ​ What is Young Humanists International? Young Humanists International or YHI is the youth branch of Humanists International. Young is defined as ages 18 to 35. Our purpose is to build and represent the global humanist movement that defends human rights and promotes humanist values worldwide. We are a dynamic team of young adults all over the world sharing this vision and giving ourselves the mission to bring into active association youth groups and young humanist individuals throughout the world interested in promoting humanism. For more info, visit humanists.international/young! ​ ​ What does a Vice-President do? The Vice-President works closely with the President, Secretary-General, Communication Officer, and Working Groups to make Young Humanists International what it is. As a Vice-President, you are a representative of YHI and are the stand-in if the President is not available. The Vice-President is also responsible for keeping an eye on the finances, takes part in developing YHI’s strategy, and helps with other internal tasks. What are the perks of being the Vice-President? ● You can attend YHI international meetings and meet young Humanists all over the world, for which YHI does provide limited travel support. ● You learn more about financial management in an international setting. ● You learn about the international governance of a vibrant community. ● You can contribute to the network and support young humanists all over the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Testimony of Rafida Bonya Ahmed, Humanist Activist and Author On
    Testimony of Rafida Bonya Ahmed, Humanist Activist and Author On behalf of the American Humanist Association Before the United States House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations and Oversight and Reform Committee Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Joint Hearing on “Ending Global Religious Persecution” January 28, 2020 Washington, District of Columbia 1 Chairman Raskin, Ranking Member Roy, Members of the Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Chairwoman Bass, Ranking Member Smith, and Members of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations, thank you for this opportunity to testify on behalf of the American Humanist Association concerning the harm caused by the numerous prohibitions against blasphemy that exist around the world. My name is Rafida Bonya Ahmed. I am a Bangladeshi-American author and blogger. I am a humanist and atheist. I am a mother to a recent John’s Hopkins graduate. I am a U.S. citizen and a visiting fellow at the London School of Economics Human Rights Centre. And I am here today to provide a much-needed voice for the nonreligious communities and individuals harmed by religious persecution. While I would not venture to represent the interests of all nonreligious people, I am a person who knows first-hand the violence accusations of blasphemy can incite. I appreciate that the committees are putting an overdue spotlight on the egregious violations of human rights conducted in the name of religion, and I urge both committees and Congress to pursue policies that hold bad actors to account.
    [Show full text]
  • Ethical Record the Proceedings of the South Place Ethical Society Vol
    Ethical Record The Proceedings of the South Place Ethical Society Vol. 113 No. 9 £1.50 October 2008 THE ANNUAL REUNION OF KINDRED SOCIETIES Jennifer R Jeynes When I became Programme Co-ordinator for the Ethical Society, some years ago now, I found that our Autumn Lecture programme was preceded, after the summer break, by an Annual Reunion of the Kindred Humanist Organisations. I thought this was a very good idea in principle, to stand (or sit) together, united by the conviction that it is possible to live a good, ethical (and musical) life without imaginary supernatural support. I became persuaded that Humanists/Secularists should be united by the overriding importance of our Weltanschaung (or life stance to use the inelegant English equivalent). On 21 September I felt vindicated (if that is not too hyperbolic an expression) as over 70 people heard News and Greetings from our usual friends, the British Humanist Association, the National Secular Society and the Rationalist Association (formerly the Rationalist Press Association) but also the Sonnenberg Association of Great Britain, the Freethought History Research Group (of which the late Virginia Clark and I were founding members) and most recently, the CEMB (Council of Ex Muslims) whose members are not only principled but courageous. (continued on page 21) THE ANNUAL REUNION OF KINDRED SOCIETIES Jennifer R. Jeynes 1,21 NEW PRIZES AND FELLOWSHIPS LAUNCHED 2 IS THERE AN ETHICAL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF IRAQ? Mike Phipps 3 VIEWPOINT Sue Mayer 13 ONE (ANTONY) FLEW INTO THE CUCKOO'S NEST, or how and why Prof Antony Flew, once the public face of atheism, changed his mind.
    [Show full text]
  • British Humanist Association
    BRITISH HUMANIST ASSOCIATION Aspects of Humanism An eight week course Student Course Book 2012 Prepared for SPES and BHA by Brendan Larvor British Humanist Association Aspects of Humanism Student’s Course Book Contents Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 3 Week 1: What do we mean by ‘Humanism’? .............................................................................................. 4 1. Synopsis: ................................................................................................................................................... 4 2. Further Reading: ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Discussion questions: ................................................................................................................................... 5 Week 2: The scientific, historical and moral cases against theism ............................................................... 5 2. Synopsis: ................................................................................................................................................... 5 2.6 Further Reading: ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Week 3: Ethics .........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Potential of Posthumanism: Reimagining Utopia Through
    THE POTENTIAL OF POSTHUMANISM: REIMAGINING UTOPIA THROUGH BELLAMY, ATWOOD, AND SLONCZEWSKI by JACOB MCKEEVER Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Texas at Arlington in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS IN ENGLISH THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON December 2014 Copyright © by Jacob McKeever 2014 All Rights Reserved ii Acknowledgements Though on the surface it was the smallest of gestures, this journey could not have begun without Dr. Kevin Gustafson, graduate advisor of English at the time, whose course suggestions helped this once ignorant anthropology major turned hopeful English graduate student begin this path. To Dr. Kenneth Roemer, thesis chair and director, thank you immensely for your insightful comments and guidance throughout this process. Not only were you the ideal committee chair, you were a constant figure of optimism throughout my time in the English program. To Dr. Stacy Alaimo and Dr. Timothy Richardson, committee members, my greatest appreciation goes out for your initial willingness to be a part of this committee and your eventual patience during the final stages. I sincerely appreciate all of you for your roles in both this process and my successful completion of this program. Most importantly, I want to acknowledge my family as my main inspiration and motivation. To Ashley, for subjecting yourself to my endless drafts and for your unending patience every day. And to Alec and Zoe, whose dad can finally come out and play. November 19, 2014 iii Abstract THE POTENTIAL OF POSTHUMANISM: REIMAGINING UTOPIA THROUGH BELLAMY, ATWOOD, AND SLONCZEWSKI Jacob McKeever, M.A.
    [Show full text]
  • Values of Happiness: Toward an Anthropology of Purpose in Life
    Values of Happiness Toward an Anthropology of Purpose in Life Edited by Iza Kavedžija and Harry Walker Afterword by Joel Robbins VALUES OF HAP P INESS Hau BOOKS Executive Editor Giovanni da Col Managing Editor Sean M. Dowdy Editorial Board Anne-Christine Taylor Carlos Fausto Danilyn Rutherford Ilana Gershon Jason Troop Joel Robbins Jonathan Parry Michael Lempert Stephan Palmié www.haubooks.com VALUES OF HAP P INESS TOWARD AN ANTHROPOLOGY OF PURPOSE IN LIFE Special Issues in Ethnographic Teory Series Edited by Iza Kavedžija and Harry Walker Hau Books Chicago © 2016 Hau Books Hau Books Special Issues in Ethnographic Teory Series (Volume 2) Te HAU Books Special Issues in Ethnographic Teory Series prints paperback versions of pathbreaking collections, previously published in HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Teory. Cover and layout design: Sheehan Moore Cover Photo © Skye Hohmann Typesetting: Prepress Plus (www.prepressplus.in) ISBN: 978-0-9861325-7-5 LCCN: 2016959208 Hau Books Chicago Distribution Center 11030 S. Langley Chicago, IL 60628 www.haubooks.com Hau Books is marketed and distributed by Te University of Chicago Press. www.press.uchicago.edu Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper. Table of Contents List of Contributors vii introduction Values of happiness Harry Walker and Iza Kavedžija 1 chapter one Ambivalent happiness and virtuous sufering C. Jason Troop 29 chapter two Being careful what you wish for: Te case of happiness in China Charles Staford 59 chapter three Te good life in balance: Insights from aging Japan
    [Show full text]
  • What Is Canadian Humanism? the Basic Tenets of Humanism, If One Wants the Elevator Pitch, Come in Compassion, Reason, and Science
    What is Canadian Humanism? The basic tenets of humanism, if one wants the elevator pitch, come in compassion, reason, and science. The more in-depth definitions change from generation to generation while represented within the declarations, manifestos, and statements. Some of the declarations, manifestos, and statements exist for organizations while others as a collective representative of a national stance. Humanism, by this multiple standard, becomes non-singular. The questions return home in the queries about the Canadian flavor of humanism, not by necessity an easy question and, in fact, one needing some exploration. This consideration of humanism as plural implies questions about Canadiana and Canadianisms. Canadianisms are those markers of cultural identity reflected in behaviour – often verbal output - and, mostly, tacit or implicit knowledge with few exceptions, like, “Eh,” or an “ou” sounding as if “oo,” e.g., “Oot” instead of “Out.” Others with some reflection may include kerfuffle, mickey, keener, Canuck, arse, hoser, and, of course, poutine. But this layering of humanism onto cultures can reflect rarer Canadian sensibilities - Molson muscle (potbelly), back bacon (Canadian bacon), rye and ginger (Canadian whiskey and ginger ale), serviette (paper napkin), and Mountie (member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or RCMP). Canadiana is often represented with the peculiar character of aloneness, being apart, in search of oneself without others, and simply living in the eternal Great Outdoors. An example of this may come in the Idea of North by the prominent Canadian pianist Glenn Gould, best known for playing Bach – and well, of whom Canadians and other nationals find intrigue decades after Gould’s death.
    [Show full text]