Text of Sonja Eggerickx’s acceptance speech at the IHEU General Assembly after her election as President of IHEU

I want to read two quotes of Jaap Van Praag, from his speech in Amsterdam 1952:

If we are convinced of the necessity to shape humanism and ethical culture as a positive and constructive philosophy of life, we cannot do without an international institution that answers this conviction

And also:

One must first have a hand before making a fist. Our first task is to give international humanism hands now. (…) So our first duty is to develop our national movements and to gather the scattered sparks of humanism all over the world

We do have the hands, though not everywhere. It is perhaps time to make that fist!

We have to fight witchcraft, we have to fight religions where they try to control life and thinking for all … think of the attack on Darwinism, not only by creationists pur sang, but also by the intelligent design people – they are far more dangerous to humanist, logical thinking! We have to show that we do have values … IHEU should be a forum. Sharing ideas, discussing them and collecting information is one of our core activities. We – and I mean all our members all over the world – should be able to think, to communicate, to discuss the challenges on hand and draw conclusions.

Of course, solidarity is absolutely necessary, of course we do need your expertise and your financial support. Of course, only when we work together can we achieve whatever, wherever. IHEU needs all your help, so please do tell IHEU your needs, your expectations. Do tell us what is bothering you. Do tell us what you expect from us and what we can expect from you.

There are humanist awards and I cannot give one to each of you. But at the same time I will! Take it with you in your heart. It looks so normal that we meet every year but it isn’t. Without your precious time and great commitment, IHEU wouldn’t be that organisation that we need. Thank you for your commitment.

We miss this time Wolfgang Soos, delegate from our Austrian Member Organisation, the Austrian Freethinkers of Austria. He died not so long ago. I wanted to mention this because I sometimes miss the personal touch in our gatherings.

Of course humanists should be rationalist but please: don’t forget to be happy and laugh! Emotions are important! It may be good to remember always that we are human beings, with reason and emotions.