Atheist Alliance International (AAI) is a non-profit advocacy organization committed to raising awareness and educating the public about atheism. It does this by supporting atheist and freethought organizations around the world through promoting local campaigns, raising awareness of related issues, sponsoring secular education projects and facilitating interaction among secular groups and individuals.
History
AAI was founded in 1991 as Atheist Alliance, an alliance of four U.S.-based local atheist groups. Over time Atheist Alliance expanded, adding both local/regional U.S. groups and international groups as members. The organization changed its name to Atheist Alliance International in 2001. In 2010 and 2011 members approved the separation of the U.S. and international segments of AAI into separate organizations in order to accommodate the different strategic interests of each group. The U.S. group of AAI was renamed Atheist Alliance of America. The launch of the newly restructured AAI occurred at the World Atheist Convention in Dublin, Ireland on 3 June 2011. AAI then described the organisation as follows:Atheist Alliance International (AAI) is a global network of atheist and freethought groups and individuals, committed to educating its members and the public about atheism, secularism and related issues.
A positive global voice for atheism and secularism, AAl:
Strengthens cooperation between atheist and freethought organisations around the world; Supports the establishment of new atheist/freethought organisations, particularly in developing countries; and Facilitates and supports projects/events that promote atheism, critical thinking and empiricism, while combating discrimination against atheists and freethinkers around the world.In 2013, AAI was granted special consultative status by the United Nations.
In February 2018, AAI was granted participatory status at the Council of Europe.
During 2017-2018, a small number of directors placed AAI into what they called "Special Measures", without the knowledge of other directors, or any of the members.
On 20 May 2018 a "Directors Annual General Meeting" was held, without the knowledge of most of the members. At that AGM, new bylaws were introduced which, among other things:
Removed the requirement for the board to hold Annual General Meetings. Removed the ability of members to nominate or elect directors, or (in the absence of AGMs) to propose or vote on any other motions. Removed the requirement for the board to publish annual accounts to the members.
In 2021, the Secretary of State of California suspended AAI.
In 2022, AAI's participatory status at the Council of Europe was revoked.
Organization structure
AAI's Board consists of between 4 and 13 Directors elected for two-year staggered terms. Affiliates or individual members can propose candidates for the Board, and the annual general meeting votes on them and elects directors.
As of the May 2022 Annual General Meeting, the current leadership includes:
Executive Committee
President & UN Representative - David Orenstein (USA) (May 2022–June 2022, resigned) Vice President - Nina Sankari (Poland) (resigned in June 2022) Secretary - Bill Flavell (UK) (resigned in July 2023) Treasurer - Fotis Frangopoulos (Greece)
Regional Directors
Africa - Ebuka Ikeorah (Nigeria) Asia - Tonoy Emroz Alam (Bangladesh/Germany); & Atheist Support Network Director Australasia - Stella Thomas (Australia) Europe - Kristina Hallmeier (Germany) North America - Jamila Bey (USA) (resigned in October 2022) South and Central America - Alfonso Ugarte Johnson
Board Members At-Large
Jason Sylvester (Canada, pan-Asia), Director (AAI Blogging, Podcast Host) Brian Kernick (Canada) - Acting President Steve Polgar (USA) (resigned in May 2023)
Projects
AAI assists Kasese School in Western Uganda. This is a humanist school that provides secular education in a remote area of the country. AAI's education policy supports the right to secular education, and asserts the need for education in critical thinking and the distinction between faith and reason as a guide to knowledge beliefs along with the spirit of free inquiry and the teaching of science free from religious interference and the respect for evidence. AAI is opposed to indoctrination and dogma—religious or otherwise.
The organization has a flagship publication called Secular World which is published quarterly. Members also receive AAI Insider, a fortnightly newsletter.