The International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organisation (IHEYO) had an interesting 2005. IHEYO organised an invigorating conference on ‘Interculturalism, Active Citizenship and Humanism’, represented Humanist youth concerns at several international events, campaigned against the funding of the European Union for the World Catholic Youth Days, doubled its membership of organisations and formally joined IHEU! Gea Meijers writes about a full year!

Conference

Our annual conference was not a one-off event, but a continuation of past activities and a stepping stone for new ones. Based on IHEYO’s lessons of previous conferences, the 2005 event was a mix of key note speeches, practical training, workshops and interesting in-depth debate.

The conference had a European focus, being co- sponsored by the Council of Europe’s Youth Foundation. Extra effort was made to involve French, Spanish and Italian young Humanists, but this had no results. We hope to increase our contacts with Humanists in these regions.

IHEYO is in favour in increasing dialogue among different life stances. It is good and even necessary to be critical of some of the politics and ideas of religious groups. At the same time, it is also good to meet with people belonging to these religions, to find out also what good it brings to people and to discover our commonalities.

Other Activities

IHEYO’s international internship programme has been in existence since 2000. In this programme, a young Humanist leader stays for a month at a Humanist organisation in another country to gain experience and contacts. There was no internship programme in 2005, but IHEYO started to prepare its next internship for a Ugandan Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights

activist to help them start a newsletter. IHEYO is currently raising the funds for this internship and we hope to raise funds for more internships in 2006 and 2007. Representation and Networking

IHEYO was present at the UNESCO youth forum, the Council of Europe’s INGO-meeting, and several other international conferences and trainings. IHEYO urged the European Union’s Commission and Parliament not to grant money to the World Catholic Youth Days. Youth days of other life stances are not given any money, and by granting money to the Catholic youth days, the EU gives up its stand of neutrality. IHEYO submitted a formal complaint at the European Commission and wrote to several members of Parliament. Some of our member organisations did the same. IHEYO coordinated its protests against this granting of funding with other groups like the Catholics for Free Choice and the European Humanist Federation. The protests did not result in withdrawal of the grant nor was there any promise of similar grants to other lifestance groups, but it gave out a clear signal for the future about our stand.

IHEYO joined three international networks: BWPP, United, and A Civic Europe. The BioWeapons Prevention Project (BWPP) is dedicated to reinforcing the norm against the weaponization of disease, and acts as a global civil society that tracks governmental and other behaviour under the treaties that codify the norm. More at: www.bwpp.org. UNITED is a cooperation of more than 560 organisations from 49 European countries working together – united in the biggest anti-racism network. More: www.unitedagainstracism.org. IHEYO partnered with CIDEM in order to work together in the fields of education, citizenship and civic participation in the construction of Europe. Together with 100 national, regional and local associations and NGOs from 21 European Union countries engaged in their respective countries on matters relating to citizenship and civic education, IHEYO signed the resolution “For a civic and popular appropriation of Europe”, and became a member of the European Civic Forum. More: www.forumciviqueeuropeen.org.

Communication

The website was updated throughout the year and an interactive forum was added. Four issues of the e-newsletter, ‘YouthSpeak’, were published, a brochure was published and widely attention has been created for IHEYO through the internet, Humanist magazines and some mainstream media. Two e-mail lists are operational. IHEYO had around 7500 visitors on our website.

Organisation

IHEYO finalised in 2005 some of its organisational processes. It became finally recognized under Belgian law as an international NGO; IHEYO got a nice letter from the King of Belgium. Also, IHEYO joined IHEU as full member.

In the first half of 2005, IHEYO was assisted by a full- time officer who handled conference organisation and administration. The officer also produced a new brochure, the e-newsletter ‘YouthSpeak’ and maintained our web site. If IHEYO wants to keep up its level of activity, a staffed office is a necessity.

2005 meant an increase in membership: from 18 to 36 member organisations. But not all Humanist youth organisations in the world are yet members of IHEYO – many more groups could join IHEYO and it costs almost nothing!!

There are many reasons to join IHEYO. Maybe the most important one is that in a world that is getting more globalised we need our movements to be internationally active to have some influence on the process. There are many issues that affect young people, in which the voice of the Humanists is needed. We challenge you to join us in any way you can.

Find our full Annual Report at www.iheyo.org!

Gea Meijers is Executive Director of IHEYO