A strong international organisation is essential to increase the world-wide impact of Humanism and to ensure that the world Humanist community benefits fully from the achievements of all its members. The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is the international organisation for Humanism.

IHEU was founded in 1952 in Amsterdam and is the only umbrella organisation of Humanist, rationalist, atheist, secularist, ethical culture and agnostic groups around the world. Its Member Organisations range from large membership groups to specialist bodies such as publishers, universities and development agencies.

As a federation of national and regional Humanist groups, IHEU co-ordinates activities of its Member Organisations, stimulates their policies and guides their strategies, fosters the growth of new Humanist groups, and represents the interests of Humanists at the UN (New York, Geneva and Vienna), UNICEF (New York), UNESCO (Paris) and the Council of Europe. IHEU is a clearing-house for information and inspiration, and a forum where Humanist organisations and individuals can exchange thoughts and expertise for improving the impact of national and international activities. By representing Humanism to the world media, IHEU ensures that an ever-greater number of people learn of the Humanist alternative.

IHEU is democratically organised and is funded by donations and membership dues from its Member Organisations and Individual Supporters. IHEU Member Organisations are Full Members, Specialist Members or Associate Members. Individuals can associate themselves with IHEU by becoming Individual Supporters.

See http://www.iheu.org/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=2