Humanists have reacted generously to the disaster in Haiti. In response to the disastrous earthquake and ongoing suffering in Haiti, the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is partnering with a new disaster relief fund called 'Non-Believers Giving Aid'. Humanists are invited to make humanitarian donations for Haiti through the new fund at: www.GivingAid.RichardDawkins.net.

Blasphemy! It’s a cry as old as freethought, perhaps as old as religion. It’s also a crime wherever religion can get enough control of government to impose it.

And now blasphemy is making a comeback, at the UN of all places!

The deadline for 2009 grants applications has passed and we are unable to consider any further applications. IHEU has received a record number of applications for funding. We hope to tell all applicants the results by the end of November.

Many of us in India have been on the lookout for the best way to carry the message of Humanism and rational thinking to people not exposed to this approach and improve conditions in our society.

IHEU has received a gift of more than US$2.5 million from the estate of the late Victor Kay, a longtime Humanist who lived in Los Angeles, California. The bequest is the largest individual gift in IHEU’s 57-year history. “This is a transformative, momentum-building gift that demonstrates real leadership on behalf of Mr. Kay,” said Sonja Eggerickx, president of the IHEU. “IHEU is extremely grateful, as this underwrites our efforts as the leader in Humanism around the globe.”

The SSA has affiliates all over the world - including several in Africa. Betty Nassaka, chairperson of the Ugandan Humanist Effort to Save Women (UHESWO), sends along this brief summary of her group's successes on campus.

The Executive Committee regrets to report that its routine reporting process on grants made to member organizations and others has led to concerns relating to funding given by IHEU to its member organization Humanist Association of Nepal (HUMAN).

The application deadline for the current round of IHEU-HIVOS grants is approaching. The closing date is 30 September 2008. Full details of the grants and how to apply are available here.

It falls to me, someone that Mel Lipman might describe as one of its more “chronologically gifted” supporters, to tell you a little bit about IHEU, of which AHA was a founding member in 1952. And I am going to ask for your help.