2016-2017 Annual Report Humanists in Action European Humanist Federation 1 Humanists in Action Humanists in Action © European Humanist Federation, 2017 Graphic Designer : Sandy Doutreluingne Photo credit : Joe Shlabotnik via Foter.com / CC BY Campus de la Plaine of the Université Libre de Bruxelles CP 237 1050 Brussels, Belgium 0032 2 627 68 11 [email protected] www.humanistfederation.eu Twitter : @EU_Humanists Facebook : European.Humanist.Federation Humanists in Action Content FOREWORD ............................................................................................................................ 4 IN MEMORIAM RAMON CASHA .......................................................................................5 EHF MISSION AND OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................6 PROMOTING SECULARISM IN EUROPE ........................................................................8 CAMPAIGNING FOR A FAIR AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION SYSTEM ................. 11 DEFENDING FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF ................................................. 13 CAMPAIGNING FOR FREE SPEECH AND AGAINST BLASPHEMY LAWS ......... 16 DEFENDING WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN EUROPE ............................................................. 19 © European Humanist Federation, 2017 DISCUSSING INTEGRATION AND THE FUTURE OF EUROPE ............................. 24 Graphic Designer : Sandy Doutreluingne PROMOTING HUMANIST VALUES AND REACHING NEW AUDIENCES ..........27 Photo credit : Joe Shlabotnik via Foter.com / CC BY WORKING WITH AND FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ............................................................ 32 Campus de la Plaine of the Université Libre de Bruxelles CP 237 PROVIDING HUMANIST SERVICES .............................................................................. 34 1050 Brussels, Belgium OUR MEMBERS .................................................................................................................... 36 0032 2 627 68 11 SUPPORT US .......................................................................................................................... 38 [email protected] www.humanistfederation.eu Twitter : @EU_Humanists Facebook : European.Humanist.Federation Humanists in Action FOREWORD Pierre Galand, EHF President " The European project is in danger ". This tens of thousands is how I opened our annual report last of people demonstrated year. One month later, the UK voted against the government’s plan to soften to leave the EU, opening a period of anti-corruption laws last January. In the uncertainty and questioning the very US, the reactivation of the Global Gag purpose of the Union. Rule by President Trump has triggered My observation unfortunately remains a massive mobilisation from several EU true in 2017 as the threats against countries and progressive groups to our shared democratic values and the protect women’s rights around the world. fundamental rights we have been fighting Humanists have a role to play to ensure for have grown and spread in the past that our values of freedom, equality, year. solidarity and critical thinking but This year, all progressives have witnessed also peace and global cooperation are with desolation the fall of the USA protected and promoted further. This into the populist trap. The election year, our team in Brussels has been of President Trump already had a working at the European level to help devastating impact on rights and values reach this objective, advocating for key that we deeply cherish : solidarity with rights and strengthening alliances. the most vulnerable, minority rights, Our member organisations have not women’s bodily integrity and social shied away from this challenge either, justice, to mention just a few. implementing a tremendous amount In the meantime, the political and of work at home to promote humanist social situation in Europe has not really values at school and beyond, to offer improved this year. Even though far-right people a choice in their life decisions, to and populist parties are not in power in denounce discrimination and to campaign most countries, they are gaining ground for people’s rights and welfare. I would as they increasingly influence mainstream like to warmly thank them for their work parties and public debate. So far, and support for EHF’s missions. I am European institutions – Member States also grateful to our Board and staff for included – have shown their unwillingness the time and energy they dedicated to or powerlessness to protect Europe as a further the EHF’s objectives this year. community of values. They may have Today more than ever, I invite everyone failed but the values underpinning the to join forces and help us give a new European project must be safeguarded. meaning to the European project and The good news is that seeds of hope work for a brighter future. exist. To mention a few, in Romania, Thank you. 4 Pierre Galand Humanists in Action Humanists in Action IN MEMORIAM Ramon Casha A dedicated activist, a much missed colleague and friend In January 2017, the humanist nist Association and movement lost a cherished colleague contributed greatly and friend, Ramon Casha, chair of the to its growth and Malta Humanist Association and a development. He campaigner of terrific energy, scope and tirelessly organised commitment. events with the MHA Ramon’s contribution to advancing to advance humanist human rights and secularism in Malta and scientific values in the is immense. He mobilised actively for public arena, and championed the separation of church and state, for introduction of humanist ceremonies, freedom of expression and against which came to fruition in 2016 with the Malta’s actively-used blasphemy laws. training of Malta’s first humanist cele- The campaign succeeded in 2016 with the brants. Last year, Ramon warmly welco- abolition of the crime of "vilification of med European and international huma- religion". He supported the introduction nists in Malta and contributed greatly to of divorce, same-sex unions and make EHF and IHEU General Assemblies emergency contraception, long before and conferences a real success. such views became mainstream in Malta. Ramon has died but his ideas and all Ramon was also active in defending the the causes he supported so fruitfully cause of refugees and local hospices, will not. The Ramon Casha Scholarship and he spent his life fighting against Fund established in his memory will give homelessness in Malta. opportunity for migrants to acquire key In addition to his broad civil rights work, skills. We invite those who wish to continue Ramon co-founded the Malta Huma- Ramon’s work to support the Fund. Ramon Casha, pictured against the stars, in a self- portrait taken in 2014 on the cliffs at Miġra l-Ferħa, Malta. 5 Humanists in Action Humanists in Action EHF MISSION and objectives The European Humanist Federation (EHF) was set up in 1991, and unites more than 60 humanist/secularist organisations from around 20 European The EHF aims to : countries. Operating out of Brussels, • Achieve separation between religion the EHF promotes a secular Europe and the State throughout Europe and opposes religious extremism within including at the European Union level. European boundaries. The EHF is also strongly committed to democracy, • Defend freedom of religion or belief human rights and to defending European which includes the right not to have equality legislation. any religious beliefs as well as the right to change one’s beliefs. • Defend freedom of thought and What the EHF does : expression and oppose laws prohibiting "blasphemy" or "religious insults". • Proposes European and international policy change when humanist values • Promote non-discrimination on all are at stake, grounds (incl. gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, disability, • Promotes individual freedoms and age, sexual orientation, etc.). opposes the influence of religious conservatism on European policies, • Support women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights and the • Works with a large network of rights of LGBTI1 people. associations, including progressive religious organisations which share the • Increase the presence of humanists at same values, European and international levels. • Supports its member organisations in • Strengthen the humanist network their diverse activities at the domestic throughout Europe. level (e.g. advocacy actions, humanist ceremonies). 1 Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexual 6 Humanists in Action Humanists in Action Where is the EHF active ? Official partner in their dialogue with churches and non-confessional organisations (Article 17 TFEU) Committee of Ministers Consultant to EU Council, Parliamentary Assembly Commission, Parliament and the European External Action Service Conference of the INGOs Member of the Advisory Board of the European Parliament Platform COUNCIL for Secularism in Politics OF EUROPE Members of the Civil Society Platform of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency EUROPEAN UNION ORGanisation UNITED Nations FOR SecURITY AND COOPeration IN EUROPE Special Consultative Status in the Economic and Social Council ODIHR (Human Dimension) 7 Humanists in Action Humanists in Action © Sandy, 2017 PROMOTING SECULARISM in Europe Although secularization is a growing reality in Europe, many countries still experience huge influence from established churches, leading to unfair religious privileges in many aspects of public life, such as in the education and tax systems. EHF grassroots