IHEYO's newsletter Youthspeak has been published. The new edition includes: A thought for the Untouchables; Speaking Out: Can we help it?; Thanks to Victor Kay, IHEU is $2.5million richer!; Homophobic Mayor popularizes Russian Gay Campaign; Nigerian Sharia Council Condemns Move On Death Penalty; Suspected abortion provider killer jailed; Peru set to ban gay police officers

In its January issue, IHEYO's Youthspeak has features on the IHEYO Youth Conference 2009 in Nepal, Charles Darwin, IHEYO member Bundesjuhes, a column "Being Humanist" by Yemi Johnson, the announcement of a Youth Campaign - Youth against terrorism and violence in India and book advice and more: Darwin online.

In its December issue, IHEYO's Youthspeak has features on Human Rights Day, Kofi Annan, Human Rights violations, the Carl von Ossietzky Medal, Youth Action Nepal, the UDHR at 60 and Taslima Nasrin.

Joris of IHEYO writes: The conference takes place in Washington, DC, USA from Wednesday 4th until Sunday 8th June, alongside the IHEU Congress. Registration for the latter conference is required to take part in ours, as we will be attending some of the IHEU sessions when we're not busy discussing the future of Youth Humanism.

The International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organisation (IHEYO) is the umbrella organisation of many Humanist youth organisations in different countries. It accepts the definition of Humanism according to the IHEU Amsterdam Declaration of 2002. This means that sceptical, secular, rationalistic and freethinking groups are all considered to be Humanist groups. Currently it has strong working groups for Africa and Asia, and is planning to establish similar groups for Europe and America soon.

The IHEYO South Asian working group is a joint Humanist effort to foster Humanist values and ideas. It will do original research, launch awareness programs and organize regional seminars/workshops. It will analyze problems and work out schemes to counter them. The network will also publish a bulletin based on local issues.

IHEU member organization IHEYO is supporting a new South Asian Working Group to parallel is successful Africa Working Group initiative.

IHEU member organization IHEYO has announced ambitious plans for 2007:

• To establish more national and regional groups of young volunteers that give feedback to the activities of IHEYO and carry out tasks, such as an Asian Working Group;
• To have a European campaign to promote tolerance with educational activities in seven European countries;
• To organise international training in Uganda and Kenya towards the end of 2007. The training will take place over three weeks with participants from the US, Europe and East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda);

Betty Nassaka is one of the founders of the women's Humanist organization in Uganda. This personal story tells how she developed her critical and independent mind in a country where women are not treated equally due to many religious and traditional practices.

I grew up in a family that worships both God and gods. My stepfather, who was a traditional healer, would go to church with my mother on Sundays (my father was killed during the liberation war). My parents were so rude to me that whenever I would ask any of them a question, I was answered with a question.

Investigate your life by the light of the midnight sun! IHEYO member organization Norwegian Humanist Association (HEF) wants to gather young humanists from the whole of Europe to get to know each other, get know themselves better, learn more about humanism and have a great week. It is hoped that there will be one contingent leader and 5-10 participants from each country.