The Eighteenth World Humanist Congress was the most diverse humanist congress in the International Humanist and Ethical Union’s six decade history. More than 500 Humanists from 50 countries and six continents met in Oslo for a series of meeting from August August 10 to 15. In addition to the World Humanist Congress from August 12 to 14, IHEU held a two-day leadership training course, four day-long workshops for Humanist professionals and activists, plus its annual General Assembly.

DeMens.nu, the umbrella organisation of Humanist member associations in Flanders and Brussels, has created the world’s first University Chair for the ‘Dignified End-of-life’. The new chair is part of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy at the Free University of Brussels (VUB). It will address all the issues surrounding the end of life, without prejudice against options such as euthanasia.

The UK gay Humanist charity the Pink Triangle Trust (PTT) has warmly welcomed the UN Human Rights Council resolution on sexual orientation. It is the first UN resolution ever to bring specific focus to human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Isle of Man, home to the world's oldest parliament, is now the newest country to grant same-sex couples the right to civil partnerships. And after years of campaigning for marriage rights for same-sex couples in the Isle of Man, Humanists are celebrating their success.

Humanist wedding ceremonies are more popular in Scotland than Catholic weddings. Humanist ceremonies are now the third most popular form of wedding in Scotland and they are the only form of marriage ceremony that is growing in popularity. Humanist weddings were made legal in June 2005, making Scotland one of only six countries in the world where Humanist marriage ceremonies are legally binding.