IHEYO was reborn during the 2002 IHEU World Congress in the Netherlands. Young Humanists from around the world who were present decided they needed an organisation full of energy and vibrancy so that they could meet face-to-face and share ideas, common goals, visions and working structures. Since then IHEYO has held meetings in Germany, Uganda, France, India, Belgium and the USA. We all value the personal contact, which makes us feel much more connected than when we are limited to emails.

Setting up IHEYO as an independent organisation took time and effort, but with the enthusiastic help of many young people we were able to reach out to Humanist organisations and young people across the world and establish working groups in a number of countries.

Like all other NGOs, IHEYO depends on funding, which we use to realise project ideas and connections between youngsters around the world. With funds from Humanist funding agencies like IHS, EYF, IHEU-HIVOS and HEF it was possible for IHEYO to

• open a communications office;

• launch a Tolerance Campaign in seven European countries in 2007;

• organise an annual international event;

• hold IHEYO board meetings.

The main focus has been to create new projects through workshops and field visits organised by our member organisations, and to facilitate connections between member organisations. IHEYO welcomes individuals and Humanist organisations who subscribe to our goals and ideas of a peaceful life together.

The Washington conference

Participating in the IHEU World Congress raised the profile of IHEYO. Older Humanists noticed our activities and we were welcomed in speeches and presentations before the whole congress. Meeting new people from America and other countries helped bring new energy into our movement.

In Washington we took part in workshops presented by American Humanist Association (AHA) and IHEU, as well as the Secular Students Alliance (SSA) and IHEYO. Young people attending IHEU sessions enjoyed making contact with older Humanists. At side stalls, people from different organisations and Humanist backgrounds offered information about their work, or new publications of books, booklets or other media.

The Future of Youth Humanism

At the World Congress, IHEYO and SSA held some joint sessions. A “station work day” on “The Future of Youth Humanism”, open to all Congress participants, proved very satisfying and enjoyable. It was organised into five rounds, and people could choose to take part either in individual rounds or for the whole day.

Station work method

There were five stations devoted to active citizenship, critical thinking, Humanist education, volunteer work and north/south-partner cooperation. At each station a group of five investigated (discussed?) the topic. Circulation among the stations was arranged so that every participant could attend each station, but the composition of the groups changed with each rotation.

Methods used included:

• “Mind map”: a group collects all “important” words taken down in the morning, reducing their number to five in a hierarchical order. Following groups proceed in the same way, but add in the words picked by previous groups. The end result is a ranked list of the most important 20—30 words.

• “Scrabble”: words relating to the station theme are written on pieces of paper and the groups try to find connections between them. Each group seeks connections without reference to previous results.

• Free-writing: each participant writes down in five minutes without consultation or interruption anything they can think of. A summary is produced of each group’s ideas.

• “Collage/puzzle”: a large piece of paper is divided into five jigsaw puzzle pieces. Visual materials are provided for a collage. Each group fills in one jigsaw piece and must be prepared to explain the connections.

• “Rotation story telling”: stories are passed round a circle from one person to another, being retold at each stage. Changes in the stories as they are retold, and the implications for knowledge and education are discussed. A single story is distilled from the various stories and is passed on to the next group.

• Final groups: prepare the final presentation of results to the whole workshop.

Presentation of results

Participants tried to surprise the audience with innovative techniques.

Methods included:

• PowerPoint presentation / mind map

• Role play / ping-pong / free writing

• Collage/puzzle

• Images and symbols

• Conducted speaking / scrabble

Results of IHEYO’s station work

The workshop was a success. People engaged well and worked independently and fast in the easy-going, dynamic small groups, while keeping to the schedule. Different opinions from around the world were discussed with interest. Participants learned a great deal from one another and they enjoyed the different working methods.

The day brought renewed hope to IHEYO. Before this, there had been a perception of loss of momentum as a result of various challenges and the need for funds and volunteers. It seems Washington gave new impetus for the future. Onwards!

Other Congress activities

Besides IHEYO’s introduction round and our General Assembly session, participants were also able to join in all SSA sessions. Presentations were made about the “Out Campaign” of the Richard Dawkins Foundation , together with SSA students from US campuses, encouraging people to describe themselves as “atheists” in order to change the image of the word. In essence, atheists are normal people who simply do not believe in any god.

One of the most interesting joint sessions was the SSA final session. Four young leaders of the American movement answered questions from the audience. They stressed that Humanism should not be confined to fighting religion, but must be a positive movement. Humanists should not worry as much about beliefs as about behaviour, and we ourselves should be as open to new ideas as we would like religious believers to be. Religions thrive by offering practical help to people undergoing difficult times. Humanism should do the same and should help us find purpose in our lives. We should work to give people the tools to enjoy their lives and to provide non-dogmatic education.

Each of us is searching for a community. It could be in a sports club, a music school, a ballet class – people search for people with similar interests, ideas, visions and aims. For centuries churches have provided that. Humanists can also strengthen their community through better networking between all local and national groups and do more at the international level. The media create a sense of community through advertisement and through manipulation of special needs. Everything is promoted to the young; why not Humanist thought? That is the best stage in life, the best possible time to look behind the curtain. Young people are starting to be critical and sceptical about everything and everybody, and mostly about themselves. If Humanism is lively and visible, it will be much easier to be transparent and open to questions and criticism. We can accept that people have different opinions in the same way that we accept one another as we are. Our goal should be to extend this approach to everybody out there. It is not about making people secular, it is about making them Humanists! Life is hard for all of us, so let us take care of one another.

Changes in America

Much has changed in recent decades in America. The best example is attitudes towards homosexuality. Young people see no problem with homosexuality; their parents do, but will not discuss it, while their grandparents will frankly inveigh against it. This generational change demonstrates how attitudes can change over time and how people can become much more tolerant and open to each kind of personality and difference. What a great start for global culture! – Although we are perhaps still witnessing its beginning.

In Washington, IHEYO came up with an idea that we will be soon putting into action on our website. The Humanist Sofa will be a facility where people travelling to different places in the world will be able to look for somewhere to sleep, someone to call or just some company on their way. The Humanist Sofa will connect Humanists from around the world.