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[4 min read]
The International Humanist Conference 2024 was held from 30 Aug to 1 Sep 2024.
Singapore is the third Asian country to host a global Humanist event since the first World Humanist Congress began in 1952 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In 1999, the World Humanist Congress was held in Mumbai, India. In 2015, the General Assembly was held in Manila, Philippines.
The theme for this year’s Conference is Secularism and Interfaith Harmony, with the Main Conference being held on 31 Aug at HUONE, an event space nestled in the vibrant Clarke Quay district. More than 100 participants from all around the world attended the conference, including about 80+ foreign delegates.
At the Main Conference, there are about 8 speeches and 2 panel sessions.
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The Conference began with Humanist Society (Singapore) President Nora giving an opening speech, where she welcomed delegates to the IHC. She said it was an honor to host this gathering as the President of the HSS and thanked everyone for their dedication to humanism. She briefly recapped the tours on 30 Aug. She explained that these experiences underscored the conference’s theme of secularism and interfaith harmony, reminding us of the importance of mutual respect and dialogue.
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Next, Humanist International President Andrew Copson gave his opening remarks. He expressed delight that the International Humanist Conference is here in Singapore for the first time, and he noted how the local SG humanist movement has gone from “strength to strength” since its early days 14 years ago. He said Singaporean Humanists have become a great inspiration for others in the region, encouraging them to organize and take bold steps. On the chosen theme of interfaith and secularism, Andrew said that humanists value personal choice and the right to pursue a good life without harming others, naturally leading to a more diverse world. Managing this diversity is essential, and secularism plays a key role in fostering common ground amid diversity.
Next up, there were 3 speakers in the morning.
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The first presentation is by Dr Paul Hedges, Associate Professor in Interreligious Studies in the Study of Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies at Nanyang Technological University. Dr Paul offered a framework for understanding the necessary types of dialogue to engage both groups. He clarified key terms such as “atheist” and “religious people” and differentiated interreligious dialogue from interworldview dialogue. Dr Paul emphasized that such dialogues are vital for addressing social cohesion, environmental concerns, and peacebuilding, especially in Singapore.
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Mr Mohamed Imran Mohamed Taib, Founding Director, of Dialogue Centre, examined the phenomenon of “falling out” of religion and how attitudes towards faith are evolving globally, including in Singapore. He concluded that improved dialogue between religious and non-religious individuals requires epistemic humility, reformed institutional leadership, and the protection of religious and non-religious freedoms through a democratic political culture.
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Ms Nazhath Faheema, Founder, Hash.peace shared personal encounters as a religious person with individuals identifying as atheist, agnostic, spiritual but non-religious, and non-religious. She emphasized the use of interfaith dialogue through the Trialogue method, which creates a “third space” for deeper understanding, breaking down binary oppositions. She also discussed the “temporary suspension of belief” technique, which allows for open, judgment-free dialogue, fostering empathy and common ground.
After lunch, there were 3 more speakers.
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Dr. Ichioka Takashi presented his research on interracial and interfaith relations in Singapore since 2013, identifying two main approaches: friendship building and dialogues. Friendship building involves organizing race and faith-based events, such as Iftar and the Dumpling Festival, where leaders foster mutual friendships.
However, opportunities for mingling beyond community leaders are limited. Dialogues, in contrast, bring together people from various backgrounds to discuss sensitive topics in a civil manner, fostering deeper mutual understanding. Dr. Ichioka emphasized that both methods are important: friendship-building events increase participation at the community level, while dialogues deepen understanding. He concluded that interfaith activities should combine both approaches to enhance the breadth and depth of interfaith relations.
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Next, there was a heartfelt sharing from Dr Pepper Lim, Senior Manager, Educator and Author, about his experience in Malaysia. Dr. Lim went through the history of Malaysia, including the tensions between the three major races (Malay, Chinese, Indian), his experience with Malay culture, and the growing Islamic religious conservatism in Malaysia, where Islam is synonymous with the racial identity of being a Malay. He also shared his views on the impact of conservatism on freedom of expression, religious pluralism, and the rights of minorities in Malaysia.
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Mr Paul Tobin, founding President of the Humanist Society (Singapore), addressed the issue of offence-taking in his speech. He highlighted the challenges humanists face in religious environments, where the non-belief aspect of humanism often creates tension. Tobin posed three key questions: Can offence be avoided? Should it be avoided? And can one be free from being offended? He argued that offence-taking can be used strategically to halt discussions, as it garners sympathy and silences criticism. Tobin urged people to develop thicker skins, as the offence is inevitable, and to reject retaliation. He called for rethinking the concept of “respecting each other’s beliefs,” advocating instead for respecting the right to hold different beliefs or non-beliefs. This, he argued, is key to fostering tolerance.
There were 2 intense panel discussions during the Conference. Watch the video (to be uploaded) to learn more!
Appreciation to HUONE
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For a successful event, the location and venue play a crucial role, and HUONE exceeded our expectations in every way. The staff at HUONE were not only courteous and friendly but also incredibly accommodating, even when we had some last-minute requests.
Their professionalism and willingness to go the extra mile made a significant difference in the overall experience.
We truly appreciate their support and dedication, which contributed to the success of our event.
