Humanists believe that this is the only life we have, so that it is all the more important to us that each individual person has the best chance possible to fulfil his or her potential and live life to the full according to his or her preferences. This means that human rights are of the greatest importance to humanists. The emergence of the concept of human rights is strongly linked to the Enlightenment when religious… read more »
Below is a diary of our dealings with the Commission in reverse chronological order. Other relevant links are with: the Bureau of European Policy Advisors the EU Group of Advisers on the Ethical Implications of Biotechnology (GAEIB) ‘A Soul for Europe’ November 2011: Non-Confessional “Summit Meeting” The third annual “summit” meeting of “philosophical and non-confessional” organisations with the three EU Presidents under Article 17 is reported here. November 2011: Response on Research Policy EHF responded to… read more »
The EHF has member organisations in several countries that are outside the European Union, and it takes no view for or against the EU as an entity. The EU is, however, a reality and one that is of increasing importance in the lives of people in Europe, including even those outside its boundaries. Unsurprisingly, therefore, a great deal of the EHF’s activity is focussed on the EU and its various formations – the Commission, Council… read more »
EHF is run by a board which meets three or four times a year, and whose members are elected for terms of 3 years by the General Assembly. The Board itself elects its officers. The current members are: President: David Pollock (United Kingdom) David, elected EHF president in 2006, has been actively involved in the humanist movement since 1961. He is a member of the board of trustees of the British Humanist Association (1965-75… read more »
The European Humanist Federation brings together about 50 humanist and secularist organisations from about half that number of countries. It is run by a board elected at annual General Assemblies and has a small office in Brussels. It is recognised in Belgian law as an international non-profit association. The EHF has two main functions: to represent its members and to promote the principles of humanism and of a secular society to the European public and European… read more »
Between a quarter and a half of the population of Europe has no religious belief. The proportion is very low in a few countries; in others it exceeds 50%. But in all countries the number of unbelievers has grown significantly over past decades and continues to grow. And most people who reject religion adhere to humanist values, because they are those natural to humankind, derived through our evolution as social animals and our conscious experience… read more »
Different countries in Europe have different histories, different institutions, different assumptions. The outlook and beliefs of non-religious people are naturally subject to these variations. In countries where the church remains very strong there is more emphasis on rejection of religion and its claims. In others, where rejection of religious belief is more common, there is more emphasis on a positive philosophy of Humanism. In countries with a ‘pillar’ constitution (where the state recognises and subsidises… read more »
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has recommended the 47 governments in the Council to “promote a genuine partnership for democracy and human rights between the Council of Europe, the religious institutions and humanist and non-religious organisations”. To this end they should “establish . . . a place for dialogue, a workspace between the Council of Europe and high-level representatives of religions and of non-denominational organisations, in order to place existing relations on… read more »