A new documentary by world-renowned atheist Richard Dawkins calls time on the growth of state-funded religious schools in Britain. Andrew Copson, vice president of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) and chief executive officer of the British Humanist Association (BHA), is among a number of experts interviewed for ‘Faith School Menace?’. The show will premiere this Wednesday, 18 August, at 9pm on the UK channel More4.

IHEU has protested to the Nigerian government about the brutal persecution of Leo Igwe, IHEU Representative for West Africa, and his family. Igwe and members of his family have been subjected to a sustained campaign of harassment by Nigerian police, soldiers and criminals. The latest attack, on August 4, resulted in grievous injuries to Leo’s elderly father, who lost an eye as a result. The harassment is the result of the Igwes’ efforts to bring to justice a powerful local man accused of raping a ten year old girl.

At IHEU’s general assembly on August 6, 2010, IHEU president Sonja Eggerickx summarized the organization’s recent developments and future plans:

At its General Assembly on Friday, August 6, 2010, the International Humanist and Ethical Union presented the IHEU award for Distinguished Service to Humanism to British Humanist activists Jean and Barrie Berkley. In presenting the Berkleys with this award, IHEU president Sonja Eggerickx explained some of the outstanding contributions this couple has made to the Humanist movement:

The General Assembly (GA) was held in the offices of IHEU Member Organization the Centre d’Action Laique in Belgium on the first weekend of August.

Lloyd Morain, the last surviving member of the International Humanist and Ethical Union's founding generation, died yesterday, July 13, at the age of 93.

The main part of the web site upgrade has been completed. Most of the features are back to normal, with some exceptions including our member database. We'll get these back as quickly as we can. Meanwhile, we apologise for the inconvenience and hope you enjoy the speed improvements. Feel free to contact us for assistance.

The agenda and other papers for the IHEU General Assembly 2010 are available for download here. The papers for the GA will NOT be available in hard copy form in Brussels. If you want to have a hard copy of the papers at the GA, YOU MUST DOWNLOAD THE PAPERS, PRINT THEM, and bring them to the meeting.

A new section highlighting some of IHEU's international activities has been added to the iheu.org home page. These activities include Representing Humanism to the world, Growth and development, Congress travel grants and the Ugandan schools project.

Everyone attending the IHEU General Assembly must submit a registration form. The deadline is 40 days before the GA, i.e. by 27 June 2010 at the latest, using the registration form provided on this web site. Delegates who register by the due date will receive the final mailing for the GA via email, which is expected to be sent out by 7 July 2010. There may not be places available for those who do not book by the due date.