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 | Mr Andrew Copson President, Humanist International Andrew Copson will delivering the Welcome Remarks on behalf of HI. He was born in the town of Nuneaton in Warwickshire, England. After studying Classics and Ancient and Modern History at Balliol College, Oxford, he worked for a year in Citizenship Education, but then became a full time humanist activist and writer. He was appointed Chief Executive of Humanists UK in 2008 and elected President of Humanists International in 2015. He has led the development of the 120 year old British Humanist Association in new directions, including a broader emphasis on community services work alongside its traditional advocacy, campaigning, and education activities. |
 | Mdm Norhaiyah Mahmood President, Humanist Society (Singapore) Norhaiyah Binte Mahmood will delivering the Welcome Remarks on behalf of Humanist Society (Singapore). Affectionately known as Nora, she is a dynamic social activist and current President of the Humanist Society (Singapore). With a diverse background, Nora relocated from Singapore to Malaysia in 1997, dedicating over two decades to various social causes until 2021. As a volunteer at a children’s home, she provided educational support and played a pivotal role in administrative and fundraising activities. After returning to Singapore, she became more active in the Humanist Society, taking on the roles of Secretary and later President. She also rejoined the Singapore Hospice Council as the Ambassador Lead and serves as a volunteer trainer for Caregivers Alliance Ltd. |
 | Mr Shukul Raaj Kumar Chief Coordinator, Inter-Religious Organisation Youth Wing Shukul Raaj Kumar is an esteemed member of the Inter-Religious Organization (IRO) Youth Wing in Singapore, where he plays a pivotal role in promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding. With a deep commitment to fostering religious harmony, Shukul works tirelessly to build bridges between diverse communities, encouraging mutual respect and collaboration. His expertise in inter-religious relations, combined with his passion for peace and unity, has made him a respected figure within the IRO and beyond. Shukul’s dedication to creating a more inclusive society through dialogue and education is at the heart of his work, making him an influential advocate for religious harmony in Singapore. |
 | Dr Paul Hedges Associate Professor, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University Paul Hedges will be delivering one of the presentations. Paul is an Associate Professor in Interreligious Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, NTU, Singapore. He has worked with a range of stakeholder groups outside academia, including the Anglican Communion Network for Interfaith Concerns (NIFCON), the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, the Babaji Yogi Sangam, the Dialogue Society, the World Congress of Faiths, and the BBC. He publishes widely in interreligious studies, religious studies, and theology. Current research projects include interreligious relations in Singapore and the East and South-East Asian region, as well as interreligious and intercultural hermeneutics. |
 | Mr Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib Founding Director, Dialogue Centre Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib will be delivering one of the presentations. He is the founding Director of Dialogue Centre Limited; and Vice-Chairperson and founding Board member of Centre for Interfaith Understanding (CIFU). He has over two decades of experience researching on issues of religion, interfaith and multiculturalism, and has delivered multiple guest lectures in universities, schools, government institutions and community organisations. His commentaries had appeared in various dailies, including Channel NewsAsia, The Straits Times, Berita Harian and South China Morning Post. |
 | Ms Nazhath Faheema Founder, Hash.peace Nazhath Faheema will be delivering one of the presentations. She is the founder of hash.peace, is an advocate for interfaith dialogue, promoting research and dialogue that navigate religious and cultural diversity to transform contentious faith-based issues into more tolerable or comfortable positions of different perspectives. Since 2015, she has been a vocal advocate for social harmony, engaging strangers from all walks of life over coffee or a meal to build better understanding between communities. In 2021, Faheema was among the winners of the President’s Volunteerism and Philanthrophy awards, winning in the People of Good category. |
 | Dr Ichioka Takashi Lecturer Hosei University Dr Takashi Ichioka will be delivering one of the presentations. He has had a distinguished career in public service and academia, with a focus on multicultural coexistence, social inclusion, and the political sociology of ethnicity and religion. After serving in Japan’s Ministry of Transport and as Director of the Singapore Office for Marine Accident Prevention, he pursued a PhD in International Culture. Since 2019, he has lectured at Hosei University, specializing in Muslim societal dynamics in Japan and Southeast Asia. |
 | Dr Pepper Lim Senior Manager, Educator and bestselling Author Dr. Pepper Lim (PhD) will be delivering one of the presentations. He is a senior manager, national record-holder, and educator with over 35 years of experience in management and sales. He set a Malaysia national record in 2023 by cycling an e-bike solo to China for charity and has authored best-selling books, including two comic books. He is a passionate advocate of education, green technology, and healthy lifestyles, and has worked with well-known companies while actively engaging in social work and tutoring. |
 | Mr Paul Tobin Founder, Humanist Society (Singapore) Paul Tobin will be delivering one of the presentations. He is the founding President of the Humanist Society and has served as the organisation’s leader from 2010-2012, and again from 2014 to 2016. He is the author of The Rejection of Pascal’s Wager, published in 2009. Over the years, Paul has spoken on behalf of the Humanist Society at many conferences and interfaith events, contributing to a better public understanding of the non-religious. Paul is also an engineer by training and an entrepreneur in the oil and gas industry. |
