International Humanist and Ethical Union
Encyclopedia
The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is an umbrella organisation embracing humanist
, atheist, rationalist, secular, skeptic, freethought
and Ethical Culture
organisations worldwide. Founded in Amsterdam
in 1952, the IHEU is a democratic union of more than 100 member organizations in 40 countries. Julian Huxley
(the first director of UNESCO
) presided over the founding Congress of the IHEU.
The IHEU's vision is one of a Humanist
world; a world in which the human rights
of minorities are respected and everyone is able to live a life of dignity. The mission of IHEU is to build and represent the global Humanist movement that defends human rights and promotes Humanist values worldwide. IHEU sponsors the triennial World Humanist Congress and publishes International Humanist News. The next international congress is to be held in Oxford, UK, in 2014.
In 2002, the IHEU General Assembly unanimously adopted the Amsterdam Declaration 2002 which represents the official defining statement of World Humanism. The Happy Human
is the official symbol of the IHEU.
, England
, the IHEU is an international NGO
with Special Consultative Status with the United Nations
, General Consultative Status at the Council of Europe
, Observer Status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and maintains operational relations with UNESCO
.
Core IHEU activities are:
The IHEU and Amnesty International
led the campaign to try to obtain the release of Younus Shaikh.
endorses international human rights for Freedom of Religion and Belief
.
In international law the freedom of religion and belief is also protected by
Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
(ICCPR). This protection extends to those professing belief in no religion which includes agnostic
, atheist
, Humanist, and rationalist
.
Also relevant are the Convention on the Rights of the Child
(CROC), the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (Religion Declaration) and the International Labour Organisation Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention 1958.
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
, atheist, rationalist, secular, skeptic, freethought
Freethought
Freethought is a philosophical viewpoint that holds that opinions should be formed on the basis of science, logic, and reason, and should not be influenced by authority, tradition, or other dogmas...
and Ethical Culture
Ethical Culture
The Ethical movement, also referred to as the Ethical Culture movement or simply Ethical Culture, is an ethical, educational, and religious movement that is usually traced back to Felix Adler...
organisations worldwide. Founded in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
in 1952, the IHEU is a democratic union of more than 100 member organizations in 40 countries. Julian Huxley
Julian Huxley
Sir Julian Sorell Huxley FRS was an English evolutionary biologist, humanist and internationalist. He was a proponent of natural selection, and a leading figure in the mid-twentieth century evolutionary synthesis...
(the first director of UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
) presided over the founding Congress of the IHEU.
The IHEU's vision is one of a Humanist
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
world; a world in which the human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
of minorities are respected and everyone is able to live a life of dignity. The mission of IHEU is to build and represent the global Humanist movement that defends human rights and promotes Humanist values worldwide. IHEU sponsors the triennial World Humanist Congress and publishes International Humanist News. The next international congress is to be held in Oxford, UK, in 2014.
In 2002, the IHEU General Assembly unanimously adopted the Amsterdam Declaration 2002 which represents the official defining statement of World Humanism. The Happy Human
Happy Human
The Happy Human is a secular icon and the official symbol of the International Humanist and Ethical Union , a world body for Humanism, and has been adopted by many Humanist organisations and individuals worldwide. Its origin was a competition organised in 1965 by the British Humanist Association...
is the official symbol of the IHEU.
Minimum Statement
All member organisations of the International Humanist and Ethical Union are required by IHEU bylaw 5.1 to accept the IHEU Minimum Statement on Humanism:
Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance, which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. It stands for the building of a more humane society through an ethic based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities. It is not theisticTheismTheism, in the broadest sense, is the belief that at least one deity exists.In a more specific sense, theism refers to a doctrine concerning the nature of a monotheistic God and God's relationship to the universe....
, and it does not accept supernaturalSupernaturalThe supernatural or is that which is not subject to the laws of nature, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond nature...
views of reality.
Strategic aims
The long term strategic aims of the IHEU are:- To promote HumanismHumanismHumanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
as a non-theistic life stanceLife stanceA person's life stance, or lifestance, is their relation with what they accept as being of ultimate importance, the presuppositions and theory of this, and the commitments and practice of working it out in living....
throughout the world. - To represent Humanism within the international community and organisations.
- To defend human rightsHuman rightsHuman rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
and the rights of Humanists. - To develop organised Humanism in every part of the world.
- To build a strong and effective global organisation.
Strategy
The IHEU will:- promote the identity of HumanismHumanismHumanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
including the name and symbol of Humanism - promote the Amsterdam Declaration 2002 on Humanism
- promote Freedom of religionFreedom of religionFreedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance; the concept is generally recognized also to include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any...
and belief - focus on achieving separation of religion and stateSeparation of church and stateThe concept of the separation of church and state refers to the distance in the relationship between organized religion and the nation state....
throughout the world - focus on activities that can only be undertaken by a global organisation
- work closely with many member organisations
- support members in their campaigns and activities
- bring members together at conferences and in regional groups
- help establish the International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organisation as the world Humanist youth organisation
- use strategic alliances to pursue its aims
Activities
Based in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, the IHEU is an international NGO
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
with Special Consultative Status with the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, General Consultative Status at the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
, Observer Status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and maintains operational relations with UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
.
Core IHEU activities are:
- International conferences: to bring Humanists together and inspire them
- Campaigns: to promote and defend human rightsHuman rightsHuman rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
and Humanist values - Representation at international and regional bodies: to further Humanist goals
- Growth and Development: to support Humanist groups in developing countries
- Organisational Development: developing the youth movement, a women’s network, membership and support
The IHEU and Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
led the campaign to try to obtain the release of Younus Shaikh.
IHEU chairmen and presidents
| Years | Position | Holder(s) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952-1975 | Chairman | Jaap van Praag Jaap van Praag Jacob Philip van Praag was a Dutch humanist who played a prominent role in establishing the Dutch Humanist League. He was its Chairman from 1946 to 1969. And, from 1954 to 1974, he was a member of a provincial Executive.Van Praag was one of the first professors in Humanist studies in University... |
|||
| 1975-1979 | Chairman troika | Piet Thones | Mihailo Marković Mihailo Markovic Mihailo Marković, PhD was a Serbian philosopher. He was born in Belgrade, Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes... |
Howard B. Radest | |
| 1979-1985 | Bert Schwarz | ||||
| 1985-1986 | Svetozar Stojanović Svetozar Stojanović Svetozar "Sveta" Stojanović was a Serbian philosopher and political theorist.... |
||||
| 1986-1987 | Rob Tielman | Paul Kurtz Paul Kurtz Paul Kurtz is a prominent American skeptic and secular humanist. He has been called "the father of secular humanism." He is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo, having previously also taught at Vassar, Trinity, and Union colleges, and the New School for... |
|||
| 1987-1990 | Levi Fragell Levi Fragell Levi Fragell is a Norwegian humanist. He has been chairman and secretary of the Norwegian Humanist Association, and was President of the International Humanist and Ethical Union between 1987-1990 and, in his own right, between 1998-2003.His father was a Pentecostalist preacher, and in his teens... |
||||
| 1990-1993 | Kari Vigeland | ||||
| 1993-1994 | Jane Wynne Willson Jane Wynne Willson Jane Wynne Willson is a British teacher, writer, campaigner and humanist. She is a Vice-President of the British Humanist Association.... |
||||
| 1994-1995 | |||||
| 1995-1996 | Vern Bullough Vern Bullough Vern Leroy Bullough was an American historian and sexologist.He was a distinguished professor emeritus at the State University of New York , an Outstanding Professor in the California State University, a past president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, past Dean of natural and... |
||||
| 1996-1998 | President | ||||
| 1998-2003 | Levi Fragell Levi Fragell Levi Fragell is a Norwegian humanist. He has been chairman and secretary of the Norwegian Humanist Association, and was President of the International Humanist and Ethical Union between 1987-1990 and, in his own right, between 1998-2003.His father was a Pentecostalist preacher, and in his teens... |
||||
| 2003-2006 | Roy W Brown Roy W Brown Roy W. Brown is a British-born engineer, humanist and human rights activist. He was president of the International Humanist and Ethical Union from 2003 to 2006 and is main representative of IHEU at the United Nations, Geneva.-Early years:... |
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| 2006- | Sonja Eggerickx | ||||
International Humanist Award
The International Humanist Award recognises outstanding achievements and contributions to the progress and defence of Humanism.- 1970: Barry CommonerBarry CommonerBarry Commoner is an American biologist, college professor, and eco-socialist. He ran for president of the United States in the 1980 US presidential election on the Citizens Party ticket. He was also editor of Science Illustrated magazine.-Biography:Commoner was born in Brooklyn...
(USA), environmentalist professor - 1974: Harold John Blackham (UK), founding member IHEU, IHEU secretary (1952-1966)
- 1978: Vithal Mahadeo TarkundeV. M. TarkundeVithal Mahadeo Tarkunde also popularly known as Justice V.M.Tarkunde was a prominent Indian lawyer, civil rights activist, and humanist leader and has been referred to as the "Father of the Civil Liberties movement" in India...
(India), former judge of the Bombay High CourtBombay High CourtBombay High Court at Mumbai, Maharashtra, is the High Court of India with jurisdiction over the states of Maharashtra & Goa, and, the Union Territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli... - 1982: Kurt Partzsch (Germany), former Minister for Social Affairs
- 1986: Arnold Clausse (Belgium), professor emeritus of education
- 1986: The Atheist Centre (India)
- 1988: Andrei SakharovAndrei SakharovAndrei Dmitrievich Sakharov was a Soviet nuclear physicist, dissident and human rights activist. He earned renown as the designer of the Soviet Union's Third Idea, a codename for Soviet development of thermonuclear weapons. Sakharov was an advocate of civil liberties and civil reforms in the...
(USSR), nuclear physicist, developer of the hydrogen bomb for the Soviet military, and winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace - 1990: Alexander DubcekAlexander DubcekAlexander Dubček , also known as Dikita, was a Slovak politician and briefly leader of Czechoslovakia , famous for his attempt to reform the communist regime during the Prague Spring...
(Czechoslovakia), leader of Czechoslovakia during the "Prague Spring" of 1968 - 1992: Pieter Admiraal (Netherlands), a Dutch anaesthetist, and euthanasiaEuthanasiaEuthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
advocate - 1999: Professor Paul KurtzPaul KurtzPaul Kurtz is a prominent American skeptic and secular humanist. He has been called "the father of secular humanism." He is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the State University of New York at Buffalo, having previously also taught at Vassar, Trinity, and Union colleges, and the New School for...
(USA), writer and founder of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry - 2002: Amartya SenAmartya SenAmartya Sen, CH is an Indian economist who was awarded the 1998 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his contributions to welfare economics and social choice theory, and for his interest in the problems of society's poorest members...
(India), economist, social theorist, Master of Trinity College (Cambridge), and winner of the 1998 The Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel - 2005: Jean-Claude PeckerJean-Claude PeckerJean-Claude Pecker is a French astronomer, member of the Académie des sciences, and former director of the Nice Observatory. He served as the secretary-general of the International Astronomical Union from 1964 to 1967. He was awarded the Prix Jules Janssen of the French Astronomical Society in...
(France), astronomer - 2008: Philip PullmanPhilip PullmanPhilip Pullman CBE, FRSL is an English writer from Norwich. He is the best-selling author of several books, most notably his trilogy of fantasy novels, His Dark Materials, and his fictionalised biography of Jesus, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ...
(UK), best-selling author of children's literature, including "His Dark Materials" trilogy - 2011: Sophie in 't VeldSophie in 't VeldSophia Helena in 't Veld is a Dutch Member of the European Parliament for the social liberal party Democrats 66 as part of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.-Biography:...
, (Netherlands) MEP and vice-chair of the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, and PZ MyersPZ MyersPaul Zachary "PZ" Myers is an American biology professor at the University of Minnesota Morris and the author of the Pharyngula science blog. He is currently an associate professor of biology at UMM, works with zebrafish in the field of evolutionary developmental biology , and also cultivates an...
(USA), biology professor at University of Minnesota Morris, and author of the PharyngulaPharyngula (blog)Pharyngula is a blog on FreeThoughtBlogs and ScienceBlogs run by PZ Myers. In 2006, the science journal Nature listed it as the top-ranked blog written by a scientist. Pharyngula also won the 2005 Koufax Award for Best Expert Blog. The blog topics are eclectic, delving into the non-scientific as...
blogBlogA blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
Distinguished Service to Humanism Award
The Distinguished Service to Humanism Award recognises the contributions of Humanist activists to International Humanism and to organised Humanism.- 1998: Corliss LamontCorliss LamontCorliss Lamont , was a socialist philosopher, and advocate of various left-wing and civil liberties causes. As a part of his political activities he was the Chairman of National Council of American-Soviet Friendship starting from early 1940s...
; Indumati Parikh; Mathilde KrimMathilde KrimMathilde Krim, Ph.D. is the founding chairman of amfAR, an association for AIDS research.-Biography:Krim received her Ph.D. from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, in 1953... - 1990: Jean Jacques Amy
- 1992: Indumati Parikh; Vern BulloughVern BulloughVern Leroy Bullough was an American historian and sexologist.He was a distinguished professor emeritus at the State University of New York , an Outstanding Professor in the California State University, a past president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, past Dean of natural and...
; Nettie Klein {also volunteer IHEU secretary general (1982-1996) - 1996: Jim HerrickJim HerrickJim Herrick is a British Humanist and secularist. He studied history and English literature at Trinity College, Cambridge University, and then worked as a school teacher for seven years...
; James Dilloway - 1999: Abe Solomon; Paul Postma
- 2002: Phil Ward
- 2005: Barbara SmokerBarbara SmokerBarbara Smoker is a British Humanist activist and freethought advocate. She is also former President of the National Secular Society , former Chair of the British Voluntary Euthanasia Society and current Honorary Vice President of the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association in the United Kingdom.-...
; Marius Dées de Stério - 2007: Keith Porteous WoodKeith Porteous WoodKeith Porteous Wood is the Executive Director, formerly General Secretary, of the National Secular Society in the United Kingdom, a position he has held since 1996....
- 2008: Roy W BrownRoy W BrownRoy W. Brown is a British-born engineer, humanist and human rights activist. He was president of the International Humanist and Ethical Union from 2003 to 2006 and is main representative of IHEU at the United Nations, Geneva.-Early years:...
- 2011: V B Rawat (India); Narendra NayakNarendra NayakNarendra Nayak is a well known rationalist from Mangalore, Karnataka, India.He is the founder of Dakshina Kannada Rationalist Association and has been its Secretary since 1976...
(India); David PollockDavid PollockDavid Pollock may refer to:*David Pollock , former American child actor*David Pollock , rugby union player for Ulster Rugby...
(UK)
Other Awards
- 1978: Special Award for Service to World Humanism: Harold John Blackham; Jaap van Praag; Sidney Scheuer {also IHEU treasurer (1952-1987)}
- 1988: Humanist Laureate Award: Betty FriedanBetty FriedanBetty Friedan was an American writer, activist, and feminist.A leading figure in the Women's Movement in the United States, her 1963 book The Feminine Mystique is often credited with sparking the "second wave" of American feminism in the twentieth century...
; Herbert Hauptman; Steve AllenSteve Allen (comedian)Stephen Valentine Patrick William "Steve" Allen was an American television personality, musician, composer, actor, comedian, and writer. Though he got his start in radio, Allen is best known for his television career. He first gained national attention as a guest host on Arthur Godfrey's Talent... - 1988: Humanist of the Year Award: Henry Morgenthaler
- 1992: Distinguished Human Rights Award: Elena Bonner
- 1996: Humanist Awards: Shulamit Aloni; Taslima NasrinTaslima NasrinTaslima Nasrin is a Bengali Bangladeshi ex-doctor turned author who has been living in exile since 1994. From a modest literary profile in the late 1980s, she rose to global fame by the end of the 20th century owing to her feminist views and her criticism of Islam in particular and of religion in...
; Xiao Xuehui - 2009: For work promoting reason and science worldwide (with the British Humanist AssociationBritish Humanist AssociationThe British Humanist Association is an organisation of the United Kingdom which promotes Humanism and represents "people who seek to live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs." The BHA is committed to secularism, human rights, democracy, egalitarianism and mutual respect...
): Richard DawkinsRichard DawkinsClinton Richard Dawkins, FRS, FRSL , known as Richard Dawkins, is a British ethologist, evolutionary biologist and author... - 2011: Nordic Rainbow Humanists Award: George Thindwa (Malawi)
International Law
The Universal Declaration of Human RightsUniversal Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly . The Declaration arose directly from the experience of the Second World War and represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled...
endorses international human rights for Freedom of Religion and Belief
Freedom of religion
Freedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance; the concept is generally recognized also to include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any...
.
In international law the freedom of religion and belief is also protected by
Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 16, 1966, and in force from March 23, 1976...
(ICCPR). This protection extends to those professing belief in no religion which includes agnostic
Agnosticism
Agnosticism is the view that the truth value of certain claims—especially claims about the existence or non-existence of any deity, but also other religious and metaphysical claims—is unknown or unknowable....
, atheist
Atheism
Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities...
, Humanist, and rationalist
Rationalism
In epistemology and in its modern sense, rationalism is "any view appealing to reason as a source of knowledge or justification" . In more technical terms, it is a method or a theory "in which the criterion of the truth is not sensory but intellectual and deductive"...
.
Also relevant are the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Convention on the Rights of the Child
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is a human rights treaty setting out the civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights of children...
(CROC), the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (Religion Declaration) and the International Labour Organisation Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention 1958.