Humanism and Peace a Review of the World Humanist Congress in Oslo by Ellie Haycock

Earlier this month, I was fortunate enough to attend the 18^th World Humanist Congress in Oslo, hosted by the Norwegian Humanist Association (HEF). The HEF is the largest association in the world, with over 78,000 members.

The tragic events in Norway on 22^nd July added new meaning to the theme of the Congress, Humanism and Peace, and further highlighted that there was no better place to host the event than Oslo. In the wake of the attacks, the Norwegian Prime Minister said that "the Norwegian response to violence is more democracy, more openness” and this attitude was certainly evident throughout the event.

The Congress was attended by several hundred humanists from all over the world, representing countries such as Uganda, Azerbaijan, Malawi and India, and included talks by biologist PZ Myers, BHA’s very own Richard Norman, and the controversial Johann Gultung, who certainly got everybody talking!

European Member of Parliament, Humanist of the Year and Secularist of Year Sophie in t’Veld also delivered an inspiring speech about the role of the EU in conflict prevention.

The Norwegians treated us to an evening reception with the Mayor of Oslo at City Hall which, rather appropriately, is the venue for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. And to top it all off, a wonderful evening at the Opera House with dinner and awards – President of the EHF David Pollock was recognised with an award for over fifty years’ service to humanism!

It was fantastic to see humanism working at an international level and we were reminded by Taslima Nasrin that in some parts of the world, rejecting religion means facing persecution.

I was also fortunate enough to meet the manager of the Isaac Newton High School in Uganda, which is one of three humanist schools created in the country. For anyone who saw the BBC’s documentary ‘The World’s Worst Place to be Gay’, the need for schools in Uganda to teach liberal, humanist values needs no explanation.

It was also great to see such passionate people from all over the world come together. Overall, it was a fantastic event and I am very pleased to say that the next Congress, to be held in 2014, will be in Oxford. I hope to see you there!

Ellie Haycock is the Secular-OU's NEW Events Coordinator and general jetsetting adventurer.