IHEU was formed in 1952 to meet the moral needs of the post-war period. In the 1990s IHEU faces new challenges as great as those which led to its formation.
The end of the Cold War has created many fragile new democracies and many new opportunities for inter-national cooperation and development. The humanist movement now has a vital role to play in helping to develop open and tolerant societies, nurturing new humanist groups, and increasing international cooperation.
Humanist groups defend human rights and freedom of and from religion; foster responsibility and tolerance; and promote rational inquiry and community action. Whilst many organisations seek to address material poverty and conflict, humanists seek to address the intellectual poverty and conflict that so often underlie these problems. New humanist groups are trying to establish themselves in many developing and post-communist countries but they need practical and financial support if they are to make a significant impact in their societies.
In order to meet the challenges of the 1990s and beyond, IHEU has established a development programme to increase its support for humanist groups and initiatives around the world. For this programme to succeed it needs the support of people and groups who share humanist aims. Please help us meet the challenge: make a contribution to the IHEU development programme.
JOIN US
Humanism begins with each of us. It is the belief that people alone, through
personal commitment, rational discussion and collective effort, can achieve a
better world. We may each pursue our ideals individually or nationally, but
we must all work together internationally if these beliefs are to make a
difference to the world.
If you support what we are working to achieve, please help us make a difference - join the IHEU. Every addition to our number adds strength to the humanist cause.
You can support humanism throughout the world by becoming an IHEU member or by making a donation.
Members are kept informed about international humanism through the magazine International Humanist News, published four times a year. They also receive information about IHEU congresses and conferences.
You can join IHEU on an annual basis or as a life member. Life-membership requires a single payment.
If you feel unable to meet the financial contribution required to become a member, you may become a subscriber to International Humanist News only.
IHEU will have to pay high bank charges for the transfer of money from your currency into Dutch Gilders (NLG). One way to avoid these charges is to make your payment the payment via your national humanist group, who can pool payments into one large currency transfer. If there is a national humanist group in your country please ask them if they will transfer your payment. If this is not possible, please consider making a lump sum payment covering several years membership of IHEU.
Donations from supporters are essential for the continued development of world humanism, so please consider making a financial contribution to the IHEU development programme.
Compiled by Matt Cherry. First published by the International Humanist & Ethical Union. June 1995.
