Editorial

"My country is the world and my religion is to do good."

THOMAS PAINE, who wrote these words, was involved in the American revolution, the French revolution and the English radical movement. The words are particularly appropriate to a journal dedicated to the belief that world problems are human ones which can only be solved by human endeavour, ingenuity and creativity.

International Humanist News aims to inform existing members and organisations of humanist activity and relevant events throughout the world. It aims, also, to be valuable to new and nascent humanist groups -- now springing up in all comers of the world - as a tool for further inquiry into humanism and as a means of introducing humanism to those new to it.

The journal, although it may include very short extracts from some humanist journals, aims on the whole to generate its own material. In order to do this the editor welcomes material and magazines and press cuttings so that a full coverage of world humanism can be given.

The IHEU movement is very diverse from large organisations as in the Netherlands or Norway to small struggling groups in Africa or parts of Eastern Europe. As we move towards a new millennium it is our belief and hope that the strength and numbers of the world humanist movement will increase.

It is now a cliche to say that we are one world and that our ability to think on a global scale is essential to our survival. But the obvious is nonetheless important. Although much of what is happening round the world is depressing to say the least we should hang on to another sentence of Thomas Paine: "We live to improve or we live in vain."

Jim Herrick is also editor of the "New Humanist", published by the Rationalist Press Association in the UK. He is the author of works on the history of humanism.