The International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organisation (IHEYO) is the umbrella organisation of many Humanist youth organisations in different countries. It accepts the definition of Humanism according to the IHEU Amsterdam Declaration of 2002. This means that sceptical, secular, rationalistic and freethinking groups are all considered to be Humanist groups. Currently it has strong working groups for Africa and Asia, and is planning to establish similar groups for Europe and America soon.

IHEYO has existed with the support of its mother organisation IHEU since 1966. It took around 36 years for IHEYO to become a self-sustainable youth organisation. Chief amongst the Humanists who provided strong motivation for a Humanist youth organisation were Alexandre Marius Dees de Steria, Paul Postma, Hans Hoekzema, Frank Dut and others.

According to its By-Laws, IHEYO aims to achieve the following objectives:
- To promote the development of cooperation among member organisations and Humanist youth, especially on the international level;
- To promote circulation of information and expertise among member organisations and Humanist youth;
- To carry out educational and cultural action in order to promote a Humanist vision of cultural, social and ethical values;
- To represent its members at any and all international governing institutions on all questions related to the organisation's purpose;
- To contribute and give a voice to youth Humanism on the international level.

IHEYO has already conducted six international level conferences on various youth-related issues. It has held intercultural conferences with youth from different continents. It is also implementing some youth-related Humanist projects in different countries in cooperation with different Member Organisations. In 2007, IHEYO successfully conducted the conference on “Equal Opportunities and Social Inclusion in Youth work” in Ronse, Belgium, together with the Flemish Humanist Youth.

IHEYO has an Executive Committee (EC) with members from different countries and continents. The EC meets once a year during the annual conference, and for the rest communicates through email and net telephony.

Member Organisations of IHEYO are mainly working on non-formal education of the youth, AIDS-awareness, youth advocacy, Humanist ceremonies, increasing critical thinking and free inquiry, representation to the state on various issues, increasing respect for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights, environmental protection and furthering a peace culture. EC meetings are mainly used for discussing projects and the broad policy outline.

The EC has been responsible for coordinating and helping carry out the projects. Our EC members represent IHEYO at international events and keep in touch with young Humanists around the world. In addition to this they carry the specific responsibility of preparing for the General Assembly and providing answers to general questions and requests from groups and individuals.

The IHEYO website has become an effective medium for communicating Humanist ideals to young people around the world.

Opportunities of IHEYO
Globalisation is the foremost opportunity for IHEYO to work worldwide. IHEYO has utilised the term “the Globe is a village”. It has a worldwide network and different means of communication and information like a website and an occasional radio program, which is making people aware about the existence and activities of IHEYO globally.

Modern education in many countries around the world has provided youth with an outlook that is receptive to change and a spirit of inquiry. The IHEYO is capitalising on this opportunity to reach out to more and more young people.

Challenges of IHEYO
Despite the significant opportunities for growth, IHEYO faces many challenges. Many people are not aware about science, Humanism and secularism. Dogmatism, theism, discrimination and religious fundamentalism are among the major threats in the future. In developing countries sometimes it becomes impossible to present Humanist ideas to the community. Even so, IHEYO wants to focus its major programs in developing countries.

Asian Working Group
The Asian chapter of IHEYO (Asian Humanist Alliance, AHA-IHEYO) is the result of the IHEYO conference in Vijaywada, India in 2006. There are eleven organisations and some individuals represented in AHA-IHEYO. It is mainly focused on strengthening young Humanist activities in Asia. AHA-IHEYO had its first meeting in June 2007. It has developed its own action plan and is now implementing it. It has a five-member steering committee, which is responsible for every activity of AHA-IHEYO.

Currently there are members in AHA-IHEYO from Nepal, India, Pakistan and South Korea. More organisations from Bangladesh and Afghanistan are in the process of becoming members of AHA-IHEYO. AHA-IHEYO is planning to organise an online conference in near future.

Other Working Groups
IHEYO will soon establish its European working group. The EC is rapidly working on this. The plan is to establish the working group within some months. IHEYO is also hoping to establish an American working group after the Washington Congress and conference in 2008.

Also, IHEYO has established a relationship with some good youth organisations such as European Civic Forum, The BioWeapons Prevention Project (BWPP) and United (an anti-racism network).

Join IHEYO

Please convey this message to youth near you who wish to be organised under a young Humanist umbrella organisation. We are committed to cooperation amongst youth for the Humanist world. The IHEYO website is www.new.iheyo.org

Uttam Niraula is a board member of IHEYO