Frieder Otto Wolf, President of the Humanist Association of Germany (HVD), has described the decision taken at the weekend by the Baden-Württemberg Humanists to join the HVD Federal Association as a significant sign of recognition.
“The decision recognizes intensive cooperation in order to offer non-denominational people a community and a forum for the development and implementation of modern cultural and social offerings based on our shared humanist worldview,” said Frieder Otto Wolf on the occasion. The delegates from the state associations represented in the federal association passed a unanimous resolution in Potsdam during their annual meeting, the Federal Main Committee, to admit Die Humanisten Baden-Württemberg (DHUBW). Last April, the 42nd state assembly had previously decided to change the name and constitution of the association in agreement with the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Culture in order to represent the interests of non-denominational people throughout the state as a worldview community. The traditional state association, based in the Humanist Centre in Stuttgart, can look back on over 160 years of history and has been recognized as a public corporation since 1953. It supports humanist hospice work, organizes youth celebrations and trips and promotes a wide range of cultural and community activities. It also offers naming ceremonies, weddings and funeral services on a secular humanist basis. In September 2013, the first children’s daycare center with a focus on music education will open. “Joining is not only a historic step, but also represents a clear commitment to a Germany-wide alliance of humanists who work throughout Germany to promote the interests of non-denominational and non-religious people – both in the sense of practical humanism on the ground, in the context of transnational and international cooperation as well as in politics, for example when it comes to the right of non-denominational people to a value-forming school subject without a religious bias such as ethics and life skills or the self-determination of the dying and their dignity at the end of life,” Wolf continued. He emphasized his hope that the humanists in Baden-Württemberg will continue to be so successful in their commitment as a positive and unifying force in civil society. “Here, what belongs together grows together. We are very grateful for this,” Wolf concluded. Andreas Henschel, Managing Director of Humanisten Baden-Württemberg, recalled on the occasion of joining: “There have already been many occasions in recent years when we have worked together and implemented projects: In the context of youth work and in the promotion of the Young Humanists in Germany or in the exchange of experiences in other areas of our practice.” He would therefore also like to see a further strengthening of cooperation at a national level, as there are still many challenges here. “However, the most important starting point for our goal of being a community for non-denominational people is still the activity and work on the ground, here in the country. We cordially invite the people of Baden-Württemberg to get to know and participate in these activities.” Further information:
Find out more: Website of the Humanists Baden-Württemberg
