The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is inviting Member Organizations to submit expressions of interest to host each of:
- IHEU General Assembly 2018
- IHEU General Assembly 2019
- IHEU World Humanist Congress 2020
Braodcaster Samira Ahmed interviewing Richard Dawkins at a plenary session of World Humanist Congress 2014, Oxford, UK
Every year the formal meeting of the IHEU membership takes place in a General Assembly, usually held alongside a weekend conference by one of our national Member Organizations.
Every third year, the General Assembly is hosted alongside a prestigious, World Humanist Congress event. The 2014 World Humanist Congress was the largest and most diverse yet, with more than 68 countries represented in Oxford, UK.
We’re already looking forward to our next three General Assemblies, to be hosted by:
- the Philippines Atheists and Agnostics Society (PATAS) in 2015
- the Malta Humanist Association in 2016
- the Secular Humanist League of Brazil, Liga Humanista Secular do Brasil (LiHS) in 2017, alongside the IHEU World Humanist Congress 2017 in São Paulo
Hosted every third year by an IHEU Member Organization somewhere in the world, the World Humanist Congress is an opportunity to strengthen the host organization by building capacity, publicity and reputation. It’s an opportunity to connect Humanist, atheist, freethought and other secular organizations internationally, and to examine a topic in-depth, such as the 2014 Congress theme of “Freedom of thought and expression”.
Members, could you host?
IHEU is now opening calls for expressions of interest from Member Organizations willing to consider organizing and hosting the 2018 or 2019 General Assembly, or the 21st World Humanist Congress, in 2020.
Expressions of interest are not a firm commitment, but an invitation to begin discussions with IHEU’s elected Executive Committee. Assemblies and Congress may be hosted by one or more IHEU member organizations in a country.
The World Humanist Congresses is part of IHEU’s Growth and Development strategy for Humanism worldwide, and IHEU can assist in promoting the Congress through media and public relations work, as well as organizational assistance where possible. At the Congress, Humanist activists from dozens of countries will expect to share experiences and training, discuss policy and learn from each other. The Congress should be a fascinating experience for individual delegates from around the world, and leave a local legacy of inspired activists, new capacities, and enhanced reputation.
Items to consider
IHEU has an inclusive attitude to attendance and will work with the host organization to ensure global and inclusive representation, reasonable registration fees and the development of an appropriate Congress programme. Travel grants are made available from the IHEU Congress travel fund, especially for humanists from the developing world.
Our aim is that the World Humanist Congress is a large-scale event with a lasting legacy, and the host organization(s) will need to work toward the Congress and its promotion for some years in advance in according with our Congress Regulations.
IHEU intends to select the Host Organizations well in advance, in particular for the 2020 World Humanist Congress, so that members of the 2020 Congress Committee will have the opportunity to attend the 2017 Congress in São Paulo, Brazil, and so that the 2020 venue can be announced at the 2017 Congress.
If you are a representative of a Member Organization interested in hosting the IHEU General Assembly in 2018 or 2019 please contact the office.
If you are a representative of a Member Organization which may be interested in hosting the 2020 Congress, please see the Procedures and Responsibilities and the Congress Regulations.