Over 600 delegates from many parts of the world are arriving for the 17th World Humanist Congress today (5 June 2008). The IHEU General Assembly has already begun. This morning, the GA opened with President Sonja Eggerickx's address and discussion of the usual business matters, including activity reports, 2007 accounts, appointment of auditors and approval of the strategic plan.

The GA moved on this afternoon to policy. At the time of writing, Vice President Rob Buitenweg, Keith Porteous Wood of the UK National Secular Society, Matt Cherry and Roy Brown are speaking about Human Rights and especially in the contexts of the United Nations and universal human rights. Matt is an IHEU representative at the UN in New York City and Roy is IHEU Main Representative at the UN in Geneva and immediate past president of IHEU. A discussion and questions will follow.

Later this afternoon, the GA will move on to other major themes, including IHEU's campaign against untouchability.

The Congress itself will open tomorrow, 6 June 2008, and the GA will conclude on Sunday afternoon, 8 June 2008, after the closing of the Congress.