IHEU September 2009 update

This is your monthly update of news from International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU). You can find the full versions of these news stories on our web site. <http://www.iheu.org>

Applications for the IHEU-HIVOS 2009 grants programme have closed:

The deadline for 2009 grants applications has passed and we are unable to consider any further applications. IHEU has received a record number of applications for funding. We hope to tell all applicants the results by the end of November. Read more <http://www.iheu.org/applications-iheu-hivos-2009-grants-programme-have-closed>

Humanists in the top 100 on Kiva:

Kiva is an Internet project allowing people in the developed world to lend, rather than to donate, money to people in the developing world who would otherwise be stuck in the poverty trap. The Humanist team on Kiva <http://www.kiva.org/community/viewTeam?team_id=392> has recently joined the top 100 by number of members. There are 8,236 teams on Kiva and the Humanist team, supported by the British Humanist Association <http://www.humanism.org.uk/>, now has 93 members who have made 364 loans totalling $11,100. Read more <http://www.iheu.org/humanists-top-100-kiva>

International Humanist News published:

The August 2009 issue of International Humanist News has been published. This edition includes features on the conferences recently held in London; and Interpretations of Secularism. We have: the full text <http://www.iheu.org/taxonomy/term/457>, a PDF version <http://www.iheu.org/node/3685> with pictures (available for download now) and more than 15 years of back numbers <http://www.iheu.org/ihn> available on the web site. Read more <http://www.iheu.org/international-humanist-news-published>

Gay Humanists welcome Quaker conversion to gay marriage:

The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) congratulates the Quakers on their decision to support full gay marriage, a position that GALHA has long campaigned for. Read more <http://www.iheu.org/gay-humanists-welcome-quaker-conversion-gay-marriage>

Gay Humanists welcome Richard Dawkins's support for Alan Turing:

The gay Humanist charity the Pink Triangle Trust (PTT) has warmly welcomed the decision of Richard Dawkins to back the campaign to win an official apology for Alan Turing, the code-breaking genius and father of the modern computer who committed suicide in 1954 after being prosecuted for being homosexual. Read more <http://www.iheu.org/gay-humanists-welcom-richard-dawkinss-support-alan-turing>

IHEYO Youthspeak - August 2009:

The August issue of Youthspeak is now available. This issue includes: Presidential Note - Thinking of October; Editorial - For the Sake of Yesterday, Today and the Future; Russian Pupils to have a choice of religion, ethics; Swine Flu Scare: Communion wafer banned, Saudi bans pilgrims; Talibans attack four northern Nigerian states; Placenta-derived stem cells may help sufferers of lung diseases; Homosexuals left traumatised by ceremonial 'cure'; Natalia Estemirova, Russian rights activist, found murdered; Project of the Month - Are you warming up for October? Column/Opinion - Come and let's share ideas on Secularism; Humanist Portrait - Michael Jackson: Award-Winning Supporter of Charities; Member in Focus - Tarksheel Society Punjab; Book Review/Resource - The MDG Youth Report; and Humanist Humour - Welcome to Hell! Read more <http://www.iheu.org/iheyo-youthspeak-august-2009>

IHEU protests attack in Nigeria:

In a letter sent to the Nigerian High Commission in the UK, IHEU's President Sonja Eggerickx has protested at the attack on Leo Igwe. Other protests are also being sent by IHEU Member Organizations. Read more <http://www.iheu.org/iheu-protests-attack-nigeria>

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International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is the world umbrella organisation for Humanist, ethical culture, rationalist, secularist and freethought groups. Based in London, it is an international NGO with Special Consultative Status with the UN (New York, Geneva, Vienna), General Consultative Status at UNICEF (New York) and the Council of Europe (Strasbourg), and it maintains operational relations with UNESCO (Paris).

Its mission is to build and represent the global Humanist movement, to defend human rights and to promote Humanist values world-wide. IHEU sponsors the triennial World Humanist Congress.

You can find out more about IHEU on our web site <http://www.iheu.org>

Fwd by
John Willemsens,
Advayavada Foundation.
<http://www.euronet.nl/~advaya/index.htm>