Image credit: Scott Jacobsen.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen is the publisher of In-Sight Publishing (ISBN: 978-1-0692343) and Editor-in-Chief of In-Sight: Interviews (ISSN: 2369-6885). He writes for The Good Men Project, The Humanist, International Policy Digest (ISSN: 2332-9416), Basic Income Earth Network (UK Registered Charity 1177066), A Further Inquiry, and other media. He is a member in good standing of numerous media organizations.
Bob Reuter, President of the Allianz vun Humanisten, Atheisten an Agnostiker Lëtzebuerg (AHA Luxembourg), talks about hosting the Humanists International 2025 conference and General Assembly in Luxembourg-City. Scheduled for July 5, 2025, the conference’s theme—“From Awareness to Action: Strengthening Open Societies Through Scientific Literacy”—reflects growing global concern over the rising spread of disinformation, populism, authoritarianism and anti-science obscurantism. Reuter emphasizes the role of humanist values and rational inquiry in sustaining democracy. Held at the Coque National Sports and Culture Centre, the conference location offers accessible public transport and opportunities for cultural exploration in and around the capital city. He’ll speak about the different topics addressed by different speakers during the conference and how AHA Luxembourg is trying to mitigate global inequity issues through local hosting options for international delegates facing financial barriers.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Today, we are here with Bob Reuter, President of AHA Luxembourg.
The upcoming conference will be held from on July 5, 2025, at the Coque, the National Sports and Culture Centre in Luxembourg-City. It is being organized in collaboration with Humanists International and hosted locally by AHA Luxembourg. Let’s discuss some of the program details and the overarching theme, “From Awareness to Action: Strengthening Open Societies Through Scientific Literacy.”
What other themes were considered, and why was this chosen?
Bob Reuter: I have had the idea of hosting the international conference and the General Assembly of Humanists International in Luxembourg for several years. Since I became president in February 2019, this specific topic—scientific literacy—has been on my mind as a theme to address via our actions as a humanist organization. I do believe that advancing public understanding of science is a critical mission for humanist organizations worldwide.
The purpose is not just to critique religion or advocate for compassion—although part of our work—but to embed rational thinking and empirical science into everyday life. As a scientist, I’ve always been interested in how knowledge is generated, what we can honestly know, and how we know it. In that sense, this theme felt inevitable and necessary. We did not seriously entertain alternative themes.
When I submitted the proposal to host the conference, I envisioned a connection between open societies, democracy, and scientific literacy. What I could not have anticipated was just how timely this would become. In the years leading up to 2025, we have seen growing threats from authoritarian regimes and populist movements that seek to discredit experts and marginalize academic institutions and the very project of Enlightenment.
When a government attempts to establish a theocracy or an authoritarian state and labels professors and scientists as enemies of the nation, it directly opposes everything modern democratic and humanist traditions represent—reason, evidence, rule of law, democratic gouvernance, empathy, and solidarity. This conflict has deep historical roots, but we primarily draw on the legacy of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution, which advanced these values in Europe. Of course, similar principles have emerged independently in other cultures, but this is the intellectual lineage most familiar to us in contemporary Western humanism.
Jacobsen: Who are some notable Luxembourgish humanists in the country’s history?
Reuter: That’s a difficult question. Luxembourg has long been considered a predominantly Catholic country, and secularism has only begun to gain broader visibility in recent decades. Due to cultural and political pressures, the history of atheists, freethinkers, and humanists in Luxembourg has largely remained obscure.
This does not mean there were no humanists or secular thinkers. Much like in the United States, until recently, if someone wanted to pursue a respected public career—especially in politics—they often needed to align themselves publicly with religion, as it was associated with morality and social cohesion.
Some influential Luxembourgers may have been privately nonreligious, but few were open. That said, I know from personal family records that my great-great-grandfather was openly nonreligious. We’ve documented this in our family’s oral and written history. So, even if they were not widely known or celebrated, secular thinkers were very much part of Luxembourg’s intellectual and cultural landscape. I wouldn’t say that he was famous—I am not trying to claim that—but I want to emphasize that around 1920 in Luxembourg, there were already openly nonreligious individuals. In recent history, we have seen at least a few intellectuals—often high school professors—openly committed to humanistic values.
Jacobsen: Can you name one?
Reuter: I could name Nelly Moya, a woman who recently passed away. She was a freethinker in the best sense of the word. She taught philosophy, ethics, arts and languages and encouraged her students to think critically and challenge assumptions.
Although I didn’t have her as a teacher, we recently produced a radio program about her life, featuring someone who had been her student and later became a close friend and co-advocate for feminism in Luxembourg.
Many people in Luxembourg have lived according to humanist values, even if they are more widely remembered in history books for their contributions to workers’ rights, women’s rights, and other social causes. So yes, they are often more recognized for those battles than for explicitly identifying as humanists.
AHA Luxembourg was only recently founded in 2010. Before that, Luxembourg had associations that focused more broadly on freedom of conscience, freedom of thought and secularism rather than on humanism as a life-stance.
Jacobsen: At the upcoming international humanist conference, Clemens Lintschinger will argue that science strengthens democracy. Christian Meyers will examine how anti-science and anti-democracy are interconnected. Monica Belițoiu will present a science-themed calendar. Leo Igwe will highlight witch-hunting in Africa. Sudesh Ghoderao will outline educator training and student programs in India. Hanna Siemaszko will explore podcasting for science communication. Ann Kiefer will showcase Science Slams as a way to transform research into engaging public presentations. Dennis Fink will promote hands-on science through interactive exhibits. Louis Krieger will introduce Scienteens Lab’s experiential approach to science education. Boris van der Ham will present Human for All Seasons. and Michèle Weber will emphasize fostering scientific literacy.
Reuter: Yes, Monica was actually first confirmed keynote speaker and we were very happy to count her among our speakers.
But, let me briefly explain the program’s structure. The conference is titled “From Awareness to Action,” and it is divided into two main parts.
The first part will focus on awareness—essentially, the problems regarding science, democracy, and the rival ideologies and forces they face today. The second part will focus on action—what people are doing locally and internationally to promote scientific thinking, democratic values, and rational inquiry.
Monica’s contribution is part of that second section. She will speak about efforts to spark curiosity and foster a love of science in children, primarily through tools that combat pseudoscience and promote evidence-based thinking from a young age. I’ve personally supported their Scientific Calendar Project. It’s an excellent idea—transforming what is typically a religious calendar (a common feature in many Romanian homes) into a secular educational tool. Instead of listing saints, their calendar highlights scientific discoveries, figures, and concepts—something people can reflect on daily.
Last year, the calendar focused on female scientists, a much-needed topic often receiving too little attention in standard science education.
Jacobsen: What about accommodations? Why was the Coque National Sports and Culture Centre chosen as the venue?
Reuter: We considered other venues as well. One was the Abbaye de Neumünster, which is also in Luxembourg-City. So, a former abbey—Abbaye de Neumünster—has been converted into a cultural and meeting space. We have a shared history with this place in that some of the first events organized by AHA Lëtzebuerg were held there. It’s a lovely venue located just outside the old city center of Luxembourg-City.
However, it was not available. Another location we considered was the Maison du Savoir, where the University of Luxembourg is located, in Esch-Belval, in the south of Luxembourg. The campus is part of the Cité des Sciences (City of Science), which would have been a fitting venue for a conference on strengthening open societies through scientific literacy.
Unfortunately, on that same weekend, a major music and light show festival is being held on campus. That means that all the hotels, restaurants, and public spaces in the area would be fully occupied by festival goers, so that location was ruled out.
In the end, we were deciding between a city cultural center and the Coque National Sports and Culture Centre. We chose Coque because it offered the most suitable facilities in terms of size, accessibility, and the infrastructure needed for an international conference. It’s a modern, well-equipped, centrally located venue—ideal for welcoming participants from across Europe and beyond. And it’s very accessible, being located on the Kirchberg Plateau, just outside the old town, close to the airport, near the motorway, and easily reachable from the central train station via tram. In fact, the tram now runs directly from the airport through Kirchberg and into the city center.
By the way, public transport in Luxembourg is free nationwide, which makes things even easier for conference participants.
I was already familiar with Coque’s auditorium, which is a beautiful, fully equipped space with excellent multimedia facilities. Compared to other venues, it’s essentially plug-and-play—they have a full-time technician on site, which saves us from having to rent and install separate equipment. They also provide on-site catering.
As a fun bonus, the center includes Luxembourg’s largest swimming pool, a 50-meter Olympic-sized pool. So, if people want to swim after the sessions, they can. I remember hearing about a similar thing in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon—people would attend a conference, get a little drunk, float in the water, and wake up on the other side of the lagoon. [laughs]
Jacobsen: That’s a great detail. Also, for our international audience, “Coque” does not mean what many English speakers might assume.
Reuter: Yes, I’ve heard international guests joke about the name! But “Coque” is the French word for “shell”. Seashells inspired the design of the building—you can see that in the architecture. For instance, one of the building’s entrances has a distinctive round roof resembling a mollusk shell. The swimming pool and the other structures are designed as interlocking shell shapes. That’s the inspiration behind the name.
Jacobsen: What are you expecting in terms of attendance this year?
Reuter: Well, we’re still in the process of selling tickets. So far, things look promising, with 75 tickets sold, so we have not yet reached our cap of 200 participants. We do still have room. We have informed our members but haven’t done a full national publicity push yet. In the coming weeks, we’ll do more outreach here in Luxembourg. Up to now, our promotion has focused mainly on the Humanists International audience.
Jacobsen: That looks positive. I mean, I’m going myself, and I still bought my own ticket! I’m still waiting on sponsorship—for example, to cover my flight from Iceland, accommodation, and related travel expenses.
Reuter: Gary McLelland and Javan Lev Poblador from Humanists International have told me that delegates coming from the Global South or from further afield need to buy their tickets first because they must apply for visas early.
Jacobsen: That makes sense—visa applications can take a long time.
Reuter: They know that, and we can only issue an official invitation letter after they’ve registered and paid for their tickets. That’s part of the administrative requirement.
Jacobsen: This raises concerns about global equity, right? Some people—often from Western countries—can travel freely, while others face intense scrutiny, paperwork, and financial obstacles.
Reuter: Absolutely. It’s a long-standing issue. The barriers are financial, cultural and institutional—visa restrictions, documentation, etc. Many people want to attend, but systemic inequalities make it difficult.
Jacobsen: So, what have you been doing to address those access issues?
Reuter: At our recently held General Assembly, one of our members suggested we should contact our community to see if local members could host international delegates in their homes. I thought that was a great idea, and this morning, I emailed all 800 members of our association, asking them to offer spare rooms if they can. Hopefully, this can lower financial barriers and make it easier for participants from lower-income countries to come to Luxembourg.
Jacobsen: That’s a generous and thoughtful gesture. Also, for context, people may not realize that Luxembourg is one of the wealthiest countries in the world when measured by purchasing power parity (PPP)—alongside countries like Qatar and Singapore.
Reuter: So, people should be realistic about costs. The most significant expense here is accommodation. It is not easy to find anything below €100 per night for a single room; more commonly, you’ll be paying €150 or more.
Jacobsen: And the food?
Reuter: Food is not cheap either. But for the conference and the General Assembly, we’ll offer subsidized meals. Attendees won’t be paying the full cost of the food, especially for the Gala Dinner, which will be included in the full package at a reduced rate.
Otherwise, meals can easily cost €15–20 for breakfast at a hotel and more for lunch or dinner in a restaurant.
Jacobsen: Is there anything that is not expensive?
Reuter: Yes! Public transportation in Luxembourg is entirely free—nationwide. That includes buses, trains, and trams. The only exception is first-class train compartments marked clearly and have different-coloured seats. If you avoid those, you can travel for free in second class as much as you like. It’s a great benefit for visitors.
Jacobsen: That’s worth highlighting. And for those who want to stay a little longer—are there things to see or do in Luxembourg?
Reuter: Yes. Luxembourg has a lot to offer—UNESCO World Heritage sites, beautiful old fortifications, modern museums, and easy access to nature trails, even within the city. The Müllerthal region, for example, is like a little Switzerland. And since the country is small, you can get anywhere in about an hour using public transport. Perfect for a few days of exploration before or after the conference.
Jacobsen: That’s excellent. We’ll have to wrap up here, but the complete list of speakers and all relevant details about the conference are available on the official event website.
Reuter: Yes. Everything is listed online, and we’re happy to welcome participants from all over the world.
Jacobsen: People should know that if you’re coming to Luxembourg, food and hotels will cost a bit—but public transportation is free, folks. So pair up if you can. Share a hotel room. Bunk up. Now, let’s say people have a free morning or do not plan to attend every session. They may arrive early or stay a few days after the conference. What can they do while they’re in Luxembourg?
Reuter: The first and easiest thing is to explore Luxembourg City. It’s quite old—the city was founded before 1000—and has a rich historical center. You can visit the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the highlights is the underground casemates, a system of tunnels built into the rock under the city.
These tunnels help explain why Luxembourg was once one of the most sought-after fortresses in Europe. Because of its geography and fortifications, it was considered virtually impregnable, which made it strategically important for various European powers over the centuries.
Jacobsen: You almost get this medieval, “fantasy realm” vibe when you hear the word fortress-like something from The Lord of the Rings. “The Realm of Luxembourg at the Fortress!”
Reuter: [Laughing] It sounds a bit like that! But it’s not fantasy—it was all genuine: war, politics, and power. In the Middle Ages and even later, control over Luxembourg meant influence over broader regions of Europe.
Logistically, it’s simple: You can take the tram from the conference venue at Kirchberg straight into the city center to explore these historic areas.
If you want to venture outside the city, you can head north into the more rural regions of the country. One of the most beautiful areas is the Müllerthal, called “Little Switzerland.” It features sandstone caves, wooded trails, and narrow valleys—ideal for hiking. It’s delightful if the weather is hot because it stays cooler in the shaded forests.
Jacobsen: That sounds like a great escape into nature.
Reuter: Absolutely. And if you have more time, you can take advantage of Luxembourg’s location at the crossroads of France, Germany, and Belgium. There are direct train connections to:
Jacobsen: And food—what can people expect regarding local cuisine?
Reuter: Luxembourg is a multicultural and multilingual country, reflected in the food scene. We host many different nationalities, which shows up in the various restaurants and culinary options available.
For example, one of the most commonly consumed cuisines today is Italian, which stems from the first significant immigration wave in the early 20th century—when many Italians moved here to work in the steel industry. You’ll also find a lot of Portuguese food, Mexican, Indian, Nepalese, and, of course, French cuisine, which has strongly influenced Luxembourg’s culinary culture.
There’s also quite a bit of fusion cuisine, where people blend traditional and modern influences to create something entirely new.
Of course, there’s traditional Luxembourgish food, which historically has been very potato—and meat-based. These dishes have become more refined over the years. One traditional item, for example, is “Gromperekichelcher”, a potato fritter—grated potatoes mixed with eggs and flour, then baked or fried into patties. It’s a bit like a vegetarian burger but made from simple, rustic ingredients.
Jacobsen: For those on a tight budget, would grocery shopping be a practical option beyond sharing hotel rooms or staying in hostels?
Reuter: I would have recommended the youth hostel in Luxembourg City, which is centrally located and competitively priced—but unfortunately, it’s already fully booked.
So, if someone wants to go the hostel route, I’d suggest checking Youth Hostels. lu for hostels slightly outside the city. As long as you’re near a train station, it’s no problem—all public transportation in Luxembourg is free, including trains.
Also, at least in the hotel where we’ve arranged a discount, double rooms are only €20 more than single rooms. So, if you’re comfortable sharing, it’s a good way to cut costs. Of course, it depends on who you’re sharing it with!
Jacobsen: Right, it all depends on compatibility.
Reuter: To help lower barriers even further, we recently asked our members if they’d be willing to host international delegates. I’m still waiting for more responses.
One former colleague of mine—also a member—wrote back and said he would have hosted a few people at his large house. But he’ll be abroad that weekend, and understandably, he’s uncomfortable offering his home to people he doesn’t know while away. He would’ve done it gladly if he were in town.
So yes, we’re still collecting responses. If we get enough volunteer hosts, we will list those free accommodation options on the conference website’s recommendations page.
Jacobsen: What about some cultural nuances? Are there any faux pas that travellers should know in Luxembourgish culture? Is the range of offence wide or narrow?
Reuter: That’s a great question—and actually, the fact that it’s hard to think of a clear answer already tells you something. In Luxembourg, there are few strict cultural faux pas. We’re used to intercultural interactions, so cultural misunderstandings are common—and mostly forgiven.
When I was a child, a typical Luxembourgish saying was: “Do as people do, and you will be treated as people are treated.” It reflected a confident conformist attitude and a pressure to blend in. At that time, being openly nonreligious or vegetarian, for instance, would have made someone stand out. But this has changed dramatically over the past few decades.
Today, people in Luxembourg are used to switching between cultural repertoires in terms of language and behaviour. For example, I rarely hug or kiss in professional settings with German colleagues. However, with French or Belgian colleagues, not greeting with one, two, or even three kisses—even between men—might be seen as impolite. We navigate these nuances on a case-by-case basis, and there’s a high understanding of cultural differences.
Jacobsen: That’s insightful. Beyond etiquette, some attendees may want to understand Luxembourg’s cultural evolution—especially around religion. You mentioned earlier that religion used to dominate. What does that look like today?
Reuter: Yes—today, much less so. Luxembourg’s current situation is closer to Canada’s than Iceland’s or the UK’s.
The legacy of Catholicism still lingers, especially in the national narrative. There’s often a default assumption that Christianity—specifically Roman Catholicism—is the cultural norm, especially in traditional settings. However, this assumption is no longer representative of what most people believe.
We recently conducted a nationally representative survey in Luxembourg, asking people about their beliefs and values. The results showed that the population largely aligns with humanist values rather than traditional religious ones. This trend was likely already present thirty years ago but was less visible in public discourse then.
Jacobsen: So if religion no longer dominates, what is today’s prevailing ideology or influence?
Reuter: Honestly, it’s probably neoliberalism. While Luxembourg may not be “rich” in a Scandinavian egalitarian sense, it is a country that is proud of its wealth and actively works to attract banks, insurance companies, industries, and international corporations.
We provide these entities with a multicultural, multilingual, and highly skilled environment. That economic orientation—combined with global finance and international institutions—has shaped a new kind of national identity that is pragmatic, market-oriented, and very much focused on maintaining competitiveness.
We also draw much of our workforce from the Greater Region—a cross-border economic area surrounding Luxembourg. This includes parts of Belgium, France, and Germany—forming a radius of about 200 kilometres around Luxembourg City. People commute daily across borders for work, especially into the capital.
Jacobsen: It’s an old city—what’s the oldest part?
Reuter: The oldest part dates back to the 10th century, around 963 CE. That’s when Count Siegfried, often called the Duke of Luxembourg in legend, acquired a rocky promontory called Lucilinburhuc and founded what would become Luxembourg City. From that fortress, the town grew into what it is today.
Luxembourg is still relatively small compared to other European capitals but has expanded well beyond its medieval boundaries. On modern maps, you can still see the outline of the old fortress—the ring road or boulevard where today’s cars, trams, and buses run marks where the city walls once stood.
Jacobsen: How has the country’s economy evolved?
Reuter: Luxembourg was primarily an agricultural country until the early 20th century. Then, with the rise of the steel industry, it became industrial. That lasted until around the 1970s–1980s, when steel production declined—largely because local iron ore reserves were depleted. Some facilities were moved to Brazil and China, but the core company—what is now ArcelorMittal, after several mergers—still has its headquarters in Luxembourg and operates globally in metals and manufacturing.
After the decline of heavy industry, Luxembourg transitioned into a service-based economy; today, it’s a global hub for finance, insurance, and digital services.
Jacobsen: What are Luxembourg’s main imports and exports?
Reuter: That’s a complex question. We likely import more than we export, especially in terms of goods. Like much of Europe, we import significantly from China, particularly electronics and consumer goods—things often designed in California but manufactured in Asia.
Interestingly, Apple has its European headquarters for iTunes in Luxembourg. So, on paper, we may “export” music or digital content—but this content is not produced here. It’s just registered through Luxembourg for tax and legal reasons, which is part of the country’s role in global digital infrastructure.
On the export side, one curious example is wood. A lot of Luxembourgish and European timber is exported to China. This is partly logistical—cargo ships bringing electronics from China cannot return empty, so they’re often filled with wood on the return trip. Ironically, it would make more economic sense to turn that wood into furniture locally—adding value here—but that’s a typical story in global capitalism.
Jacobsen: What advice would you offer to humanist organizations elsewhere in the world that might want to host a General Assembly and international conference in their city?
Reuter: My first piece of advice is to submit a proposal to Humanists International expressing your interest in hosting. They will provide detailed information about the conditions you need to meet—logistical, financial, and otherwise.
Then—perhaps most importantly—secure a venue early on. That was the most challenging part for us. You need a space that is large enough, well-equipped, accessible, and, crucially, affordable.
So yes, you need to find a venue with enough capacity, available, and ideally affordable because, as I mentioned earlier, other locations I had hoped for weren’t available even a year in advance. That kind of timeline isn’t always sufficient for popular venues.
Of course, you should begin reaching out to speakers—those you want to recruit for the international conference. You should also stay in close contact with the Humanists International team. They are the professionals; they’ve been through multiple iterations of this type of event and know what’s required.
Jacobsen: Thanks again, Bob. Talk soon.
Reuter: Thank you. Take care.
Photo by Louise Pipet on Unsplash