Despite damage from the recent bombing in Norway, secular activists from more than 50 countries will meet in Oslo, August 12 to 14, to discuss how to build a more peaceful world. The International Humanist and Ethical Union’s (IHEU) Eighteenth World Congress, on the theme of ‘Humanism and Peace’, will meet at the Oslo Congress Centre, damaged by the July 22 bombing, with events also at the home of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.
The theme, venue and time of the World Humanist Congress were chosen four years ago, but the July 22 attacks have given them a new significance, say conference organisers. ‘Now that the terrorist attack has brought this issue to our own doorstep, we want to show the world that we can respond to violence by renewing our commitment to peace,’ said Roar Johnsen, vice president of IHEU and former president of the Norwegian Humanist Association. ‘We are heart-broken by the murder of so many Norwegians. But we will share our experiences of conflict and peace, and we hope we will also learn from the experiences of humanists coming from around the world.’
In an increasingly globalised world, working with and through the international bodies of IHEU and the European Humanist Federation (EHF) is an important part of the BHA’s activities. BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson, who is a Vice President of IHEU and Head of Public Affairs Naomi Phillips will both be attending the Congress. Naomi will also be a Congress speaker, focusing on the topic of non-religious people and remembrance services. Other members and trustees of the BHA will be going to Oslo as delegates, making clear the importance of united cross-national working, support, and communication on humanist issues.
To register for the congress visit: www.human.no/oslo2011
About the International Humanist and Ethical Union: Founded in 1952, IHEU is a federation of more than 100 humanist and atheist groups from 40 countries. It has consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, Council of Europe and African Union.
About the BHA:The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of ethically concerned, non-religious people in the UK. It is the largest organisation in the UK campaigning for an end to religious privilege and to discrimination based on religion or belief, and for a secular state.