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History

IHEYO or IHEU Youth Section, as it was then called, was established in 1966 at the IHEU Congress in Paris. The Youth Section arose as a means of enabling contact among the youth from different countries who were striving for common goals. In the 1970s, IHEU Youth Section was present at several international youth NGO meetings under the auspices of the UN, presenting its viewpoint on various topical issues. Paul Postma, later IHEU Treasurer, was a key figure in the Youth Section at this time. Early meetings focused on birth control (Milan, 1969), student revolt (Boston, 1970), and practical Humanism (Ghent, 1972), and the 1974 conference was devoted to the role of consumption in a world of widespread poverty and facing an environmental crisis. However, the zest of the early 1970s began to fade.

In 1982, Alexandre tried to re-establish its vitality, persuading IHEU to take up the matter, but funding for international meetings was not always easy to come by during this time. The IHEYO committee met several times during the 1980s, and a newsletter was published. In 1989, Hans Hoekzema and Frank Dut from the Netherlands organized a highly successful summer youth camp, attracting participants from Belgium, Norway, USA, and India, as well as the Netherlands.

This was followed in 1990 by an important IHEYO Congress with nearly 80 participants, which ran parallel to IHEU's World Congress in Brussels, and another parallel to the IHEU Congress in Amsterdam in 1992 with 50 participants. Yet there were problems with continuity. The high expectations needed correction, and a feeling of disappointment is sometimes noticeable in the minutes of committee meetings.

A period of inactivity set in after 1993. At the beginning of the 1990s, the IHEYO secretariat, which had been based in the IHEU offices in the Netherlands, moved to Brussels. Several years later, it moved again, to Germany, before returning to the IHEU offices, now based in London, UK, by the end of 1997. A new effort to regenerate IHEYO came in 1998. This time the initiative came from IHEU Headquarters. And that is how the present form of IHEYO emerged.

Since 2000 IHEYO became really active, starting with an internship programme and in 2002 with an international conference. In 2003 youth from 15 humanist organisations re-established IHEYO as a formal organisation with an Executive Committee. IHEYO is now working on expanding its projects, contacts and strengthening it's organisation as a formal umbrella organisation.   

 

IHEYO today

After creating the independent legal registration through its own bylaws, IHEYO started a very strong and active network. As youngsters are standing for engagement, motivation and action, the youth decided to meet every year for an annual event. IHEYO was born with new motivation and strength. The second Youth Conference took place in Germany, followed by events in Uganda, France, India, Belgium and US. Why that way? Over the years, it became clear to us that personal contacts are much more important in an international network than any contacts over email and other technical possibilities. People collaborated in an enthusiastic way with IHEYO or members of our network, actively participated in actions and furthermore they felt much more connected with the people out there.      

After IHEYO’s foundation, its independence and registration in Belgium, the working structures started to become much more clearer inside IHEYO. Administration always takes a lot of time, but a working structure and the great power of young people made it possible for IHEYO to reach out to many more humanist organisations. IHEYO was able to establish new working groups, separated through the continents, in addition to international events over the last years. Like all other NGO, IHEYO depends on funds that make it possible to realize project ideas and connections between youngsters around the world.  

With funds from IHS, EYF, IHEU-HIVOS and HEF it was possible for IHEYO to

- open a communication office

 

- realize a Tolerance Campaign in 7 European countries in 2007

 

- organize an annual international event each year with possibilities of financial support to developing countries or members with less own resources

- meet up within the IHEYO board.  

The main focus has been to create new projects through workshops, field visits organized by our member organisations and a vibrant platform for personal connections between two or more organisations for exchange programmes, activities or individual friendships. IHEYO is always open for individuals and for Humanist organisations related to our network goals and ideas of a peaceful life together.           

 

Through Alexandre Marius Dees de Steria who represents IHEU at the Council of Europe and was a key advocate for the establishment of a youth wing for IHEU. He sent us some of his documents giving an insight into the history of the youth section of IHEU. This article is a summary extracted from his documents.