One of the primary purposes of IHEU is to stimulate and support the growth of new Humanist organisations where none currently exist, and to support the growth of smaller existing organisations. Today there are over one hundred Member Organisations in IHEU from nearly 40 countries. The long-term aim of the development programme is to have a successful and sustainable Humanist organisation effective in every country in the world. In view of regional variations and specialities of different organisations, IHEU needs to be careful in not imposing one model and structure on organisations. IHEU's General Assembly therefore unanimously supported the plural vision for Growth and Development of Humanism worldwide: not planting flags, but sowing seeds for the flourishing of Humanism.

It is with this vision that IHEU tries to help strengthen Humanism in different regions of the world and work with regional structures such as the European Humanist Federation, where such structures exist. As part of IHEU's long-term strategy for strengthening African Humanism, IHEU held its General Assembly for the first time in Africa (Uganda) in conjunction with an International Conference to inaugurate the new African Humanist Alliance. The President, the Executive Director as well as the Chair of the Growth and Development Committee Levi Fragell visited projects and Humanist organisations in Uganda, Nigeria and Ethiopia. IHEU leaders also visited India and Nepal, deepened contacts in the Baltic region, and worked with Latin American Humanist organisations on formulating strategies for strengthening Humanism in the region.

IHEU plans to develop an IHEU handbook to assist in the development of new national and local groups.

Leadership training seminars on organising groups, on human rights and on lobbying are also on the anvil. IHEU's Strategic Plan (2005-2009) identifies developing a Partnership Scheme to foster one-to-one relationships between Member Organisations as a priority, as also creating an international funding coordination committee.

While IHEU has helped Member Organisations to strengthen themselves, it is also strengthening its own organisational structure and activities, taking International Humanism into new directions. The General Assembly welcomed the opening of a new IHEU office in UN Plaza, New York, and the establishment of the IHEU-Appignani Center for Bioethics.

There was enthusiastic support to the proposal by IHEU to establish an international centre in Kampala to be built in cooperation with Uganda Humanist Association, and to be called the African Humanist Institute. The African Humanist Institute will house an IHEU-sponsored school for children, an international school for Humanist activism and offices for the African Humanist Alliance.

IHEU has also started negotiations for developing a major presence in India - leading to the creation of an IHEU regional office and a base for various human rights activities. The various legal and technical aspects are being worked out. With the Regional office as a base for human rights training programmes, IHEU's campaign focus for the Indian sub-continent will be the problem of Dalits - the 170 million people that are called, and treated as, untouchables.

We expect these new initiatives to increase the visibility, relevance and effectiveness of Humanism on the global scene.