Young Humanists International

Young Humanists International is the youth section of Humanists International. We are the connecting link between young people in humanist organizations from around the world.

Here’s how we work

We help young humanists (age 18-35) get connected through our programs and annual events.

We have presence in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe, through our regional working groups, which bring young humanists together in each region to address issues that are specific to their part of the world.

Our committee is elected from among young representatives nominated by Humanists International member organizations.

Vision

The vision of Young Humanists International is to give a voice to young humanists within the mission of Humanists International. The mission of Humanists International is to build and represent the global humanist movement that defends human rights and promotes humanist values worldwide.

Mission

To bring into active association youth groups and young humanist individuals throughout the world interested in promoting humanism, as is described in the Amsterdam Declaration 2002.

Delegates at the Young Humanists International General Assembly 2019, Reykjavik, Iceland

President Marieke of Young Humanists International addresses the General Assembly in 2019

Delegates at the Young Humanists International General Assembly 2019, Reykjavik, Iceland

Delegates at the Young Humanists International General Assembly 2018, Auckland, New Zealand

A gathering of young humanists for the European Humanist Youth Days (2016)

A discussion workshop at the European Humanist Youth Days (2016)

Taking it to the streets! Young humanists at European Humanist Youth Days 2016

Delegates at the Asian Humanism Conference 2016, Tapei, Taiwan

Aims of Young Humanists International

To strengthen humanist youth organisations and youth work.
To promote the development of cooperation among member organizations and humanist youth, especially on the international level.
To promote circulation of information and expertise among member organizations and humanist youth.
To carry out educational and cultural action in order to promote a Humanist vision of cultural, social and ethical values.
To represent its members to any and all international governing institutions on all questions related to the organizations purpose.
To contribute and give a voice to youth humanism on the international level.
To provide training and education.
To build organisational capacity.
To provide networking and information sharing.

You can find more details about the Young Humanists International structure by reading our bylaws (item 6.2 under the Humanists International Bylaws (PDF)).

Structure of Young Humanists International

Overview

The Young Humanists International executive committee is composed of at least a president, secretary-general and treasurer. Other posts (up to 12 in total) may be created by the committee, but the general assembly must elect the officials to fill them. The mandate for all current committee members ends on the 2018 general assembly, when the new committee shall be elected.

The Young Humanists International executive committee is currently composed of 9 officers: the president, secretary general, treasurer, communications officer, and the chairs of each regional working group. Besides the formal committee members (in bold), several other appointed volunteers help us carry out our activities. You can find information about our current administration in more detail below.

Young Humanists International executive committee

Marieke Prien (Germany) – President: president@iheyo.org
Scott Jacobsen (Canada) – Vice-president: vice-president@iheyo.org
Romeo De Bellefroid (Belgium) – Secretary General: secretary-gen@iheyo.org

Working Groups

Communications department

Anya Overmann (United States) – Communications officer / Humanist Voices editor
Ariel Pontes (Brazil) – Webmaster / Humanist Voices editor
Scott Jacobsen (Canada) – Humanist Voices editor
Penny Komes (United States) – Graphic Designer