Dear friends and colleagues in the global humanist movement,
As many of you know, Humanists International has, in recent years, significantly increased its focus on providing direct support to individuals facing persecution for their humanist beliefs or identity. This vital work, spearheaded by our dedicated Casework & Campaigns Manager, has been a direct response to the growing threats faced by our community around the world. We have been humbled and often heartbroken by the stories of resilience and the urgent need for our assistance.
However, the reality we face today is one of overwhelming demand. In the past year alone, we received hundreds of requests for help – a volume that has stretched our limited resources and capacity to their breaking point. The sheer time and effort required to thoroughly verify each case, while absolutely crucial, has created an unsustainable situation. We reached a point where we had to make a difficult decision: to pause the intake of new applications for individual casework.
This was not a choice we made lightly. Our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all humanists remains absolute. But we also have a responsibility to ensure that our efforts are effective, sustainable, and ethically sound. Continuing with a program that is unable to meet the overwhelming need would not only lead to further delays and potential harm to individuals at risk but also risk the long-term viability of our support mechanisms.
“Moving forward, we will be implementing a two-tiered system designed to maximize our impact and ensure the long-term sustainability of our support.”
Therefore, after careful deliberation and with the full support of our Board, we are announcing a necessary evolution in our approach to the Humanists at Risk program. Moving forward, we will be implementing a two-tiered system designed to maximize our impact and ensure the long-term sustainability of our support.
Firstly, we will be strengthening our General Support for all Members and Associates. This will involve focusing on providing crucial advice, guidance, and signposting to relevant resources. We will be developing and delivering training programs to empower our member organizations to better support individuals within their own networks. Furthermore, we will be investing in our online resource library, making vital information on safety, security, and advocacy accessible to humanists globally.
Secondly, we will be reserving more intensive, individualized casework support for Leaders and Officers within our Member and Associate organizations who are facing significant risks due to their humanist activities. These individuals play a critical role in the strength and growth of our movement, and ensuring their safety is paramount. This focused support will be managed through an interdisciplinary team, drawing on our expertise and resources in a coordinated manner.
“A deeper understanding of the challenges faced will enable us to advocate more effectively on the international stage and develop more targeted and impactful long-term strategies.”
This shift also allows us to dedicate more energy and resources to a crucial area: research and analysis. We will be actively working to gather more comprehensive case studies and statistics on the persecution of humanists worldwide. A deeper understanding of the challenges faced will enable us to advocate more effectively on the international stage and develop more targeted and impactful long-term strategies.
As we embark on this new chapter, I also want to acknowledge the departure of our dedicated Casework and Campaigns Manager, Emma Wadsworth Jones, who will be leaving us at the end of May 2025. Emma has been instrumental in building and running our casework program, and we are deeply grateful for her tireless commitment and the significant impact she has had on the lives of many. Looking ahead, we are excited to recruit a new Casework and Research Manager who will lead this evolved program and drive forward our research agenda.
This evolution is not a retreat from our commitment; it is a strategic recalibration to ensure we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of humanists at risk in a way that is both effective and sustainable. By focusing on strengthening our membership, building capacity within our movement, and deepening our understanding through research, we believe we can create a more resilient and supportive global humanist community.
We understand that this change may raise questions, and we are committed to being transparent and communicative as we implement this new approach. We value your continued support and belief in our mission. Together, we will continue to work towards a world where humanist values are respected and where no one faces persecution for their beliefs.
Sincerely,
Gary McLelland
CEO, Humanists International
As a registered charity and NGO, we rely on the donations we receive from our members and supporters to help us campaign on humanist issues, lobby for humanist values at international institutions (including the United Nations) and protect humanists at risk of persecution and violence. If you support our aims, please consider giving a one-off or regular gift today. Thank you.