'Humanism is about the world, not about Humanism'. Harold Blackham's words lay down the programme for us: Humanists should formulate, propose and implement solutions to Humanity's problems and crises. The way to promote Humanism is by engaging with the world (see page 4) with our approach based on reason and reasonableness.

The magnitude of the devastation caused by the Asian Tsunami was beyond belief, but volunteers - religious and non religious - rushed to the disaster areas to offer help. Humanists did their bit too (see page 5). If there are some amongst us who query if Humanists should be involved in charitable work, V.B. Rawat's investigation into the Tsunami rehabilitation work in India has the answer. Disaster relief work is a specialised activity, but what is really needed is a progressive approach (see page 6). Humanists should be proud that one of the world's most progressive development agencies, HIVOS, is also a Member Organisation of IHEU (see page 7).

Naturalism and Atheism are inseparable from the Humanist identity for some leading thinkers in the movement (see page 10), some of whom travelled to Vijayawada, India, to participate in the 5th World Atheist Conference (see page 12). The Conference showcased the fact that promoting Humanism is not merely about lectures and debates - art plays a crucial role in enabling social reform and promoting Humanism (see cover page and page 15).

The Humanist movement can be strong only if it is well organised - several years ago the Campus Freethought Alliance produced a guidebook on this subject, and there are now two welcome additions to the activist's book rack (see page 25). Activists interested in making a mark at the international institutions will find a model to emulate in the work of our representatives at Europe (see page 24) or at New York where IHEU is organising the important Launch Conference of the IHEU-Appignani Humanist Center for Bioethics at the UN (see page 17). As we look ahead, we have to remember that vast parts of the world still suffer from ancient prejudice and medieval backwardness. Africa (see pages 18 & 19), Asia and South America desperately need help - not just material, but cultural as well. Different approaches to the new European Constitution (see pages 22 & 23) have emerged, but what is important to the Humanist movement worldwide is to keep up the pressure to separate religion and politics and religion and the state. If we fail to achieve this, and allow religious doctrine to influence legislation and public life, the fate of the Islamic world (see page 20) will be that of the entire planet. That is why the forthcoming IHEU's World Humanist Congress on Separation of Religion and State (see page 27) is so important. Some freethinking individuals in the Islamic world have made outstanding contributions to the cause of Human Freedom, and few have raised a more eloquent voice against the backwardness of religion or in

support of women than our colleague Taslima Nasreen (see page 8). Taslima asserts that Humanism is her home; by promoting Humanism in various parts of the world and in various fields, we are indeed helping shape

the world to be a home for Humanism.

Babu Gogineni