Join us to learn more about the great work UNA-OC and UNA, in general, are doing and how you might be able to get in involved. Let's figure out how we can make a difference to make the world a better place for all.

All are welcome.

Feel free to join us for lunch following the meeting at a restaurant nearby.

In-person Event - Register Here

Co-Sponsored by Soka University's Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Human Rights, The United Nations Association of Orange County and The World Affairs Council of Orange County.

To register please click Here

This year, UNA-OC will be hosting two separate events in celebration of Human Rights Day (Exact location and parking details will be sent to you after you register):

On Friday 12/8 - Come join us for a conversation with Kimberly Emerson, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Human Rights Watch (lawyer, civic leader, human rights advocate). This will be an informal conversation with the wife of the former US Ambassador to Germany, John Emerson. Lunch will be provided.

This event has its own separate registration @SOKA University. Click to register Here.

Join us to learn more about the great work UNA-OC and UNA, in general, are doing and how you might be able to get in involved. Let's figure out how we can make a difference to make the world a better place for all.

All are welcome.

Feel free to join us for lunch following the meeting at a restaurant nearby.

In-person Event - Register Here

Join us to learn more about the great work UNA-OC and UNA, in general, are doing and how you might be able to get in involved. Let's figure out how we can make a difference to make the world a better place for all.

All are welcome.

Feel free to join us for lunch following the meeting at a restaurant nearby.

In-person Event - Register Here

Join us to learn more about the great work UNA-OC and UNA, in general, are doing and how you might be able to get in involved. Let's figure out how we can make a difference to make the world a better place for all.

All are welcome.

Feel free to join us for lunch following the meeting at a restaurant nearby.

In-person Event - Register Here

Braver Angels is a national, grassroots movement bringing Americans from all walks of life together to help turn down political rancor and strengthen our democracy. We offer carefully designed workshops (and other events) that create a space for productive and respectful conversation across the political divide and reduce our own internal polarization. The focus is on learning to listen with empathy and curiosity about how life experiences have shaped those with sometimes very different ideas to ours, and developing respectful relationships. The key is offering perspectives rather than needing to change another's mind on issues that are important to them. BA also offers a variety of events such as finding common ground on difficult issues, community town halls, and candidate debates.

Speakers:
Robert (Bob) McDuff, Braver Angels Moderator and Ambassador
Susan Rico, Braver Angels Organizer and Ambassador

Also join us to learn more about the great work UNA-OC and UNA, in general, are doing and how you might be able to get in involved. Let's figure out how we can make a difference to make the world a better place for all.

All are welcome.

Feel free to join us for lunch following the meeting at a restaurant nearby.

In-person Event - Register Here

Join us to learn more about the great work UNA-OC and UNA, in general, are doing and how you might be able to get in involved. Let's figure out how we can make a difference to make the world a better place for all.

All are welcome.

Feel free to join us for lunch following the meeting at a restaurant nearby.

In-person Event - Register Here

Join us to learn more about the great work UNA-OC and UNA, in general, are doing and how you might be able to get in involved. Let's figure out how we can make a difference to make the world a better place for all.

All are welcome.

Feel free to join us for lunch following the meeting at a restaurant nearby.

In-person Event - Register Here

Join us to learn more about the great work UNA-OC and UNA, in general, are doing and how you might be able to get in involved. Let's figure out how we can make a difference to make the world a better place for all.

All are welcome.

Feel free to join us for lunch following the meeting at a restaurant nearby.

In-person Event - Register Here

For Zoom link Register Here

Join us to learn more about the great work UNA-OC and UNA, in general, are doing and how you might be able to get in involved. Let's figure out how we can make a difference to make the world a better place for all.

All are welcome.

Feel free to join us for lunch following the meeting at a restaurant nearby.

Hybrid Event -
Zoom in or join us in person.
Register Here

Join us to learn more about the great work UNA-OC and UNA, in general, are doing and how you might be able to get in involved. Let's figure out how we can make a difference to make the world a better place for all.

All are welcome.

Feel free to join us for lunch following the meeting at a restaurant nearby.

Hybrid Event -
Zoom in or join us in person.
Register Here

Join us to celebrate Afghan culture. This year, we will honor the Afghan refugees in Orange County, highlighting the challenges faced by Afghan women and celebrating their rich culture through music, art, and food.

You will also have an opportunity to learn how you can get in involved with us to make a difference in creating the world a better place for all.

All members and interested guests of the UNA-OC Chapter are welcome.

Click HERE for registration!

Join us to learn more about the great work UNA-OC and UNA, in general, are doing and how you might be able to get in involved. Let's figure out how we can make a difference to make the world a better place for all.

We have a special guest speaker to discuss the earthquake disasters in Turkey and Syria.

The Groves Club House 5200 Irvine blvd Irvine CA 92620 At the gate just say we are guests of Judy at Unit #510, and we need to go to the Club House. Guards will show you the Club House. Parking spaces are available in front and back of the Club House.

All are welcome.

Feel free to join us for lunch following the meeting at a restaurant nearby.

Please join us for our Annual Meeting open to all UNA members and interested guests. We will be reviewing our strategic plans for 2023, highlighting the Project Local 2030 program, UNA-Women, Youth Engagement, and Partnerships. We will be also welcoming our new Board of Directors. Find out how you can plug into many of the meaningful activities our chapter will be involved in 2023, and truly make a difference

Ticket Registration Information: This event is free for everyone with an optional donation. Click HERE for registration.

The World Affairs Council of Orange County Presents

Wine Tasting: California VS. France

Join us to hear a special presentation on Californian and French wines from an expert sommelier, and enjoy appetizers by Roquette Cafe & Bistro!

In-Person Event

Register Here

All partners of the United Nations Association Orange County are welcome to join!

We are honored to have James Mai, OC Housing Commissioner, come speak about combating racism through unity and celebrating cultural identity while maintaining individual identity.

In-Person Event
Register for In-Person (Live) Event HERE

9:30 - 10 am PST Social Time/Networking In-Person
10 - 11:30 am PST Presentation

Also learn more about the great work UNA-OC and UNA, in general, are doing and how you might be able to get in involved. Let's figure out how we can make a difference to make the world a better place for all.

All are welcome.

Feel free to join us for lunch following the meeting at a restaurant nearby.

Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December — the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a milestone document, which proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or another opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or another status.

This year our chapter, UNA-OC, is celebrating HR day where you will have the opportunity to join Orange County humanitarian organizations and visual & performing artists for a day of art, advocacy, & action with a special presentation about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the works of art gifted to the United Nations by member states.

Click Here for registration.

Join us for a special brunch celebration to celebrate and thank you for being a UNA SoCal Member! Learn about upcoming events, programs, and an opportunity to network with change-makers across Southern California. To register click HERE

Members like you make our movement—and the support of the UN—even stronger, so we want to provide you with the chance to grow both personally and professionally.

Ticket Registration Information: Please purchase your ticket by November 11, 2022, and the UNA-SoCal Division will cover the remaining cost of your ticket ($25). Tickets will rise to full price ($45) from November 12th to November 19th, 2022.

Early Bird Registration: May 20th - November 11th, 2022- Ticket Price: $20

General Registration: November 12th - November 19th, 2022- Ticket Price: $45

*Individuals will pay for the full price of the ticket if purchased after November 11, 2022

Details

The Southern California Secular Coalition (SCSC) is pleased to present a hybrid, one-day free conference entitled “Life Behind Bars: Compassion and Reform” on Saturday, November 12, 2022 from 9 am to 6 pm Pacific Standard Time. The event is being cosponsored by the American Humanist Association and The Freethought Society.

There are three great options to attend.
1. Register and Attend online via Zoom HERE.
2. To join IN PERSON with The Humanist Society of Santa Barbara at Live Oak UU, register HERE.
3. To join IN PERSON in Orange County at the OC Human Relation Council in Santa Ana, register via Eventbrite HERE.

This one-day conference will examine issues around incarceration from various points of view including that of formerly incarcerated people with lived experience, professional in-state, out-of-state, and international perspectives, along with those of effective secular non-profit organizations.

The intention is to educate ourselves on the causes, effects, and challenges of our system of incarceration, and explore reform from a humanistic perspective so we can become informed advocates for an effective and humane system.

Conference Agenda

Session #1: 9:00 am -11:00 am PST

• Welcome. Dave Rice - SCSC President, Margaret Downey - Freethought Society Founder & President, and Adam Conover- host of Adam Ruins Everything which has explored several aspects of the criminal justice system,

• Why Incarceration Reform Matters to Humanists. Nadya Dutchin, Executive Director of the American Humanist Association,

• A Dangerous Culture of Incarceration: Physical & Mental Health in Prison. Dr. Michael Golding, lead psychiatrist for the California Department of Corrections,

• The Prison Experience. Jon Guy will speak about what life in prison was like in a Wyoming prison, and what supported him in his journey from being incarcerated to being a published author and science communicator who writes about critical thinking, science, and philosophy. His new book is Think Straight: An Owner’s Manual for the Mind.

Session #2: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm PST

• Can Scandinavian Principles of Humanity Work in American Prisons? Preliminary Lessons from Pennsylvania. Jordan Hyatt, Ph.D., J.D. Associate Professor at Drexel University, and Gina Clark, Superintendent of the Little Scandinavia Prison.

• Drugs and Punishment in an Exceptional Country. Dr. Paul Larsson, founder of Law Enforcement Action Partnership, (L.E.A.P.) Scandinavia, and Professor of Criminology at Police University College in Oslo, Norway,

• Inside Out. Lawrence Larry, sharing his lived experience perspective,

Meal Break: 12:30 pm - 1:15 pm PST

Session #3: 1:15 pm - 3:30 pm PST

• Confessions of a Public Defender. Denise Gragg, J.D. an experienced public defender in Southern California capital cases, sharing professional & personal insights gained in dealing with defendants and their families,

• Adverse Childhood Experiences Behind Bars. Fritzi Horstman, founder of The Compassion Prison Project,

• Free Will and the Crimes of the Criminal Justice System. Dr. J. Anderson Thomson, evolutionary psychiatrist,

• Freedom To Choose Project: Change From the Inside. JoAnn Mermis and Benny Gutierrez on the impact of their work teaching emotional intelligence from the perspective of both a volunteer and as a previously incarcerated participant.

Session #4: 3:30pm - 5:30 pm PST

• Throwing the Book at Them: Shelving Nontheist Literature in Prison Libraries. Margaret Downey, President of the Freethought Society,

• From Prison to Microsoft. Shelley Winner-Dupree speaking on her lived re-entry experience,

• Reentry is a Journey: Challenges and Chances When Leaving Incarceration. Dr. Andrea Dauber-Griffin and Dr. Mona Minton, of the Neighborhood House Association, San Diego County,

• Imagine No Religion: Towards a More Secular Criminal Justice System. Elizabeth Cavell, J.D. Associate Counsel, Freedom From Religion Foundation.

There will be time for Q&A throughout the day. Come join us!

SCSC is a committee of The Freethought Society.