A KEY MEETING IN MADRID

Building humanism in the Spanish-speaking world

HUMANISM is truly global in outlook. It seeks to transcend narrow ethnic, nationalistic, religious and racial differences that divide the world. Ever since its establishment in 1952, the IHEU has developed most effectively in the English-speaking world, especially (though not exclusively} in northern Europe and North America. In recent years, especially since the Oslo and Buffalo Congresses, efforts have been made to extend the humanist reach to Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America, by making contact with existing humanist, rationalist and freethought groups and by attempting to stimulate the creation of new ones in areas where none exist.

In this regard, there is great need for the IHEU to develop a humanist presence in the Spanish-speaking world, now comprised of several hundred million people in South America, the Caribbean Seas, the Philippines, North America and Spain itself. With this in mind we have been endeavouring to develop humanist organisations in Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina and Peru, but with limited success. In the past three years we have focused on Spain, attempting to identify individuals and groups who could help form a humanist' group and enter the IHEU.

I am pleased to report some gratifying success. In March of 1993, the Secretariat, including the co-presidents {Paul Kurtz, Rob Tielman, Kari Vigeland} Levi Fragell, and Nettie Klein journeyed to Madrid to meet with key people from throughout Spain, hosted by Professor Jose Delgado, world-renowned neuroscientist and Laurate of the Academy of Humanism.

The invitation was extended to humanists and sceptics that we know in Spain, especially to readers of Free Inquiry and the & Sceptical Inquirer. There is already a sceptics' organisation in Spain, which publishes La Alternativa Racional (The Rational Alternative) magazine. As a result, more than a dozen interested humanists and sceptics mat with the Secretariat. There was a question about whether to begin a new humanist organisation or to work within an already established group. The delegates present decided on the latter course. One problem was that the term humanism doesn't translate very well into Spanish. We encountered this same problem with terminology in other Spanish-speaking countries.

In any case, there already exists in Spain a powerful movement that shams many of the ideals of the IHEU: The Ateneos {The Atheneums). These were founded in the nineteenth century, stimulated by classical Athens and devoted to humanist values and freethought. Indeed, the Spanish Republic was inspired by the Ateneo, and Spain's leadership, including many presidents and prime ministers, have come from the Ateneo. The goals of the IHEU harmonise wonderfully with those of the Ateneos.

We were invited by Dr. Cesar Navarre de Francisco, former president of the Ateneo of Madrid to tour the headquarters, which was built in 1884. It contains a handsome library, lecture halls and a cafeteria, which was open to students and the general public.

At the organisational meeting in Madrid, it was decided to introduce the IHEU to the Ateneo membership. This was done on May 13-15 at a special meeting, where a paper was read by Professor Alberto Hildago Tunon, Professor of Philosophy at Ovideo and a Laureate of the Academy of Humanism, on the topic "Liberal Humanism and the Spirit of Our Ateneos". His talk, we are told, was well received and a new section on "Humanism and Ethics" is now being formally established. Although membership in the Ateneos is by election and is hence limited, it was decided to open the membership in the new "Humanism and Ethics" section to anyone, who could thus attend lectures and participate in conferences. Meanwhile, we have invited our humanist friends in Spain to apply for membership in the IHEU.

Of considerable significance for co-operation with the IHEU is that Ateneos exist in many cities throughout Spain, and also Portugal, the Philippines and Latin America. We hope to contact them throughout the world for common projects.

Thus a beginning effort by the IHEU in the Spanish-speaking world is now under way. We welcome all membership organisations and individuals to work with us in increasing contact and dialogues.