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When I first travelled to Brussels by air to attend the IHEU World Congress in 1992, I was amazed to see a prominently displayed board outside the office of a ‘Humanist Counsellor’ in the Brussels International Airport, alongside places of worship for Jewish, Muslim and Christian believers. Any non-religious traveller wishing to seek counsel can go in and speak to the Humanist counsellor stationed there; or spend a while quietly meditating in the room.

Humanism is unmissable in the cultural and social landscape of the Benelux countries, and moral education and counselling services are the most practical way in which Humanism reaches the grassroots. Humanist counsellors and educators can be found in schools and in the military, as well as in hospitals. It may not be good news for fish, but it is amazing that in Belgium there is also a counselling service for fishermen!

Being so prominently placed in an airport gives significant visibility for Humanism to travellers coming from all over the world. Is it perhaps time for you to lobby your own city’s airport to create space for Humanists if they offer facilities for religious people? Meanwhile, if you are a frequent air traveller, do take a stopover next time at Brussels Airport and meet up with Mr. Karl Laurent, the Humanist counsellor there! Or perhaps you wish to send a copy of your Humanist, Rationalist,  Atheist or Freethinker magazine to be displayed, or made available in the Counsellor’s office? I am sure that non- religious travellers from your country, speaking your language, will find it wonderful that such literature is available for consultation at an international airport!

Because, like luggage, mail can also sometimes disappear at airports, kindly post them to Mr. Karl Laurent at P. Poppestraat 23, 2640 Mortsel, Belgium