The IHEYO: A New Wave of Youth Humanism<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Whether they identify themselves as ‘humanists’ or not, millions of young people around the world – from the established democracies of Western Europe to the theocracies of the Middle East – share humanist values of giving meaning to one’s own life, working towards the creation of a humane world, and free inquiry. In fact, one could argue that these characteristics are inherent in young people: the youth of a society are always questioning the old order, reformulating for themselves the established order, and thinking and acting in ways outside of the conventional patterns. From the Young Turks to the French protesters of Spring ‘68 to the current anti-globalisation activists, youth have a historical role of questioning the established order.

So, with all of these young people with humanist ideas and ideals, it seems as though the only question is how to mobilise them, let them know that a larger, international humanist movement Ð in line with their principles and providing connection with others who share those principles Ð exists. To do this, two critical elements are necessary: local enthusiasm and international coordination. Of these elements, we have seen that the local enthusiasm is present, it simply simmers (occasionally boiling over) undirected and isolated.

In order to capture and enhance this energy, this steam, compounding its power and potential, the International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organization (IHEYO) exists. As the youth component of the IHEU, the IHEYO is firmly rooted in the international humanist movement, and has the institutional resources of the IHEU, including expertise in coordination of national humanist movements. The IHEYO uses the IHEU model of providing information, maintaining open communication channels, and helping coordinate resources for local humanist movements: in other words acting as a proactive facilitator rather than a local organiser.

The IHEYO works to fulfill this mission in several ways. By providing a location for the sharing of information on the successes and shortcomings of youth humanist movements and projects in different parts of the globe on the IHEYO web site (www.iheyo.org). The organisation seeks to promote resource Ð and idea-sharing, networking, and helps keep the lines of communication open, both between groups encountering similar issues and groups encountering unique challenges, so that all can be more aware of these situations.

Additionally, the web site will soon offer a comprehensive database of youth humanist organisations in different parts of the world with detailed contact information.

In addition to its international coordinating staff, the primary structural component of the IHEYO is its network of Continental Coordinators. These individuals, one or two from each continent, serve as a link between the international humanist youth world (specifically the IHEYO’s London office and the youth interns there) and the grassroots humanist movements on each continent.

These Coordinators keep local humanist youth (and “adult”) groups informed about international-level humanist youth activities and projects, keep the IHEYO on an international level informed about the goings-on of local humanist activities, and (perhaps most importantly) respond to the numerous inquiries the IHEYO receives n a daily basis from individual, unconnected youth humanists around the world seeking community and connection at the local level.

Over the past year, the IHEU has launched a number of major initiatives. Firstly, a listserve has been launched which allows young humanists to communicate in an open e-mail forum with one another. On this listserve, questions concerning pressing issues facing youth humanism are posed and discussed, and ideas are shared. As this forum grows, it will provide an even more valuable resource for ongoing communication and coordination. (To subscribe, send a blank e-mail message to: iheyo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com).

Summer 2001 saw the launch of the IHEYOÕs first annual Internship Exchange Program. After receiving nearly two dozen applications from interested young people from diverse locations for two summer internship positions at the American Humanist Association (Washington, DC) and the International Humanist and Ethical Union (London), a young woman from Kansas, USA and a young man from India were selected to participate. They worked in varied capacities at these organisations, but both helped in some ways with the initiation and implementation of youth humanist activities. This internship program is designed to give young humanists - the future leaders of the international humanist movement Ð valuable experiences working with humanist organizations in a country other than their own. In future years there will be a greater variety of host organisations, providing even more varied experiences.

Perhaps the most significant upcoming event for the IHEYO is the 50th Anniversary Congress of the IHEU, at which time a parallel Youth Congress will take place (details and a preliminary Congress program can be found at www.iheyo.org). With the goal of including youth participants from every continent, the Youth Congress will see the official relaunching of the IHEYO and will invigorate the organisation and attendees with energy, enthusiasm, and vision. Activities planned include formal and informal discussions, cultural sharing activities (including a movie night and international food fair), speakers, and coordinated activities with the “adult” Congress. Funding will be available through continental coordinators to subsidize the costs associated with the Congress including travel and accommodations. Already a Dutch Humanist Youth leader Gea Meijers has started in January her twelve-month internship in the London office to help with Youth work among other things. Gea has already attended the Congress planning committee meetings in the Netherlands and will soon have information about the Youth Congress programme, camping and sporting possibilities etc. Keep visiting the IHEYO website!

In addition to IHEYO-initiated activities, the organisation plays a role in the campaigns of the IHEU by mobilising youth humanists, a recent example being the campaign to save Dr. Shaikh. In all these activities, the IHEYO has established and is developing to an even greater extent a network of youth humanists, providing the framework for rapid expansion of the youth humanist movement and, by extension, humanism in general. The number and diversity of interest that individual humanists and humanist organisations have expressed in the IHEYO is truly astounding, and certainly indicative of a bright future.

To ensure this, even more participation is needed: every voice counts. Please take a minute to visit the IHEYO web site, www.iheyo.org, to read about the possibilities for involvement. To realize the great potential that exists for the next generation of humanists, we need your help!

Vincent Lloyd is the International Coordinator of IHEYO

Shannon Culek recently interned at the IHEU office in London.