This thought holds in almost all life situations and happenstances as well as in the management of social relations. In an organisation, for instance, the yesterday, as vital as it is to the organisation, is only useful if relevant to today's situation, mostly as a source of history in setting records straight and; today, as dear as it is to us, is ever conscious of posterity, often brought about by tomorrow. Finally, tomorrow is like a ghost that hunts, just like yesterday, and so uncertain, as today. This paradox then explains why organisations are so concerned about all these three phases of life for without due concern to the three there will be no history, no event and no projections. Indeed, the going concern is never guaranteed.
The yesterday-today-tomorrow nexus explains why the board members of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) are so concerned about the survival of their youth arm, the International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organisation (IHEYO). Several measures have been taken, and are being taking, to ensure that IHEYO remain active not just for today but to guarantee the going entity of the lifestance called Humanism. The leaders of the protected youth arm, IHEYO, on the other hand, are ever conscious of posterity hence their untiring efforts in ensuring that despite all odds, they are able to carry on witn certain projects that can endear and sustain the youths within the humanist lifestance.
While the leaders of these two organisations have the onus task of setting priorities and engineering projects that will gurantee the future, it is the task of everyone of us to work together with them so that when we become part of 'yesterday', those that will be living 'today' at the time, will not just think well of us but also be happy to borrow a leaf from us for the sake of their own 'tomorrow'. This is an obligation that every humanist must fulfil for the sake of yesterday, today and tomorrow! We can do it.
Onward!
'Yemi Ademowo Johnson, Editor
The topic of the 2009 International Youth Humanist Conference is "Secularism: The Open Door for Human Rights Defense" and we shall be discussing human rights questions as pertaining to church-state separation. We shall also be focusing on youth humanism globally and how we, as individuals and organizations, can work together to achieve our common goals.
For more information and inquiries contact: communication.office@iheyo.org
http://www.iheyo.org/node/846
The militant group, locally known as 'Taliban', is opposed to western education and has been campaigning for the imposition of Sharia'h (Islamic law) on the 36 states of the federation. The group allegedly sparked off the crisis when its members launched an attack on a police station in Bauchi, leading to the bloodbath.
Over 150 people were left dead, while indigenes of the area are said to be fleeing their homes.
http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=149983
TS has a well organized structure to achieve and realize its aims and objectives. There are units in almost all the villages and towns. These units are elected by the direct participation of all the members of the unit. These preliminary units are controlled and guided by the democratically elected district Bodies. These District Bodies are elected by the office bearers and all the members of the preliminary units. This whole set up is maneuvered by the state Body duly elected by the district bodies and the preliminary units.
In order to disseminate the philosophy of atheism, rationalism and free thought the TS organizes public meetings, conferences study camps, seminars, publication of literature and its distribution, dramas and demonstration of scientific games and play let etc. TS has its own drama and cultural squads and magic show teams.
TS has its own teams who shoulder the responsibility of treating the mentally deranged individuals. TS has solved about 300 cases of brick/stone throwing in the houses, burning and tearing of clothes, missing of precious and valuable articles including gold and silver ornaments from the houses. TS has also treated 40,000 cases psychologically ill patients allegedly said to be possessed by the ghosts, bhootas, pretays and evil spirits etc. The activities of TS are mainly confined to the state of Punjab but now and then it operates in the neighboring states of Haryana, Himachal Pardesh, Rajsthan, Delhi and Chandigarh, Uttar Pardesh, Madhya Pardesh & Jammu Kashmir also.
With an open mind and with a view to enhance and promote the cause of atheism and rationalism TS has very cordial relations and understanding with all other like-minded organizations such as Atheist center Vijaywada, India Rationalist Association, The Atheist Society of India Visakhapatnam, Bihar Budhivadi, C.S.I.C.O.P. India (lead by B. Premand) etc. TS is having a firm Convection of exchanging the view and experiences with other organizations for the mutual benefit and in order to establish a strong world fraternity of the atheists/rationalists etc.
TS encourage and accelerate the spirit of free inquiry among its members, sympathizers, supporters and school going children. TS thus liberates them from the shackles of religious mental slavery.
Find out more on the organisation's website www.tarksheel.in
My hope for Nepal conference is not only that of a fruitful deliberations, but also an expectation of good resolutions and experiences we can be proud to take home to better our national organisations and working fields. Sometimes we just listen to already familiar knowledge, sometimes we learn so much new things, but it is never a waste of time as repetitions make it possible to reflect and re-evaluate our work again and again; while new issues bring new ideas, reconstructions and projects. It is too late to be pessimistic. It is time to take action; why not join us in Nepal?
Silvana Uhlrich, President IHEYO
The paper outlines how young people can be included and empowered as part of the strategies that Member States and the United Nations system are creating for the achievement of the MDGs. It can be used as a lobby tool and guide for programmatic action, but ultimately, it is a call to all Member States, UN specialized agencies, and civil society to create mechanisms for youth to participate in the implementation of the MDGs and take advantage of the work and activities youth are already leading. This paper aims to show that investing in youth will provide a long-lasting and effective dividend towards meeting the MDGs through building social capacity for development to 2015 and beyond.
Download Youth and the MDGs report in: English