Gary McLelland joined Humanists Worldwide in February 2017. Earlier than this he labored for the Humanist Society Scotland since 2013 as Head of Communications and Public Affairs. He has additionally beforehand served as a Board member of the European Humanist Federation primarily based in Brussels, in addition to a board member of the Scottish Joint Committee on Spiritual and Ethical Training. Earlier than working in Humanist campaigning, Gary labored for a world citizenship venture on the Mercy Corps European headquarters in Edinburgh, and in addition in coverage and repair supply in training and social work. He has a BSc (hons) in psychology, a diploma in childhood and youth research and grasp’s in human rights legislation, wherein he researched the strategy of the European Courtroom of Human Rights and the United Nations’ strategy to so-called ‘blasphemy legal guidelines’.
Scott Jacobsen: How was the theme of “Secularism and Concord” chosen for this yr’s Common Meeting?
Gary McLelland: The theme was chosen by the Humanist Society Singapore. Singapore is without doubt one of the most ethnically, religiously, and culturally various international locations on the earth, given its location and historical past. The Singaporean governing organizations have been very centered on societal concord. Though these insurance policies have confronted criticism, the concept of getting a cohesive and harmonious society appears to be crucial to many Singaporeans. Subsequently, they wished to showcase examples of fine apply within the area.
Jacobsen: This yr, the occasion spans two days. Will there be any surrounding occasions or excursions along with the Common Meeting?
McLelland: That’s the plan. Whereas I haven’t seen the ultimate particulars but, I do know that the organizers, HSS, are planning to supply extra alternatives for individuals who wish to arrive just a few days early or keep a bit longer. The 2-day occasion will embrace a number of cultural experiences. At present, the plan is to go to completely different tasks on Friday, have a communal meal, after which start the convention and assembly on Saturday.
Jacobsen: How is registration for the convention going?
McLelland: I’m not positive in regards to the convention registration, as I haven’t spoken to HSS just lately. Nevertheless, we’ve got round 52 folks registered for the Common Meeting, and we count on to have roughly 70 to 80 attendees. So, we’re kind of on observe with the registrations.
Jacobsen: How does this yr’s registration examine to earlier years?
McLelland: Evaluating year-to-year registrations may be troublesome. Final yr was a Congress yr, which normally attracts extra attendees. Most of our membership relies in Europe and North America, making Singapore a distant location for a lot of. Subsequently, bigger delegations from these areas won’t be as large as they might be for an occasion held in Europe.The closest comparable occasion was in New Zealand, which remains to be fairly distant. Regardless of these challenges, we count on round 70 to 80 attendees for the Common Meeting and hope for extra on the convention, as HSS plans to promote it to their members and the broader Singaporean NGO sphere.
Jacobsen: How does this occasion present a greater alternative for humanist organizations within the area to take part extra actively within the annual occasion?
McLelland: That is an thrilling time, particularly after the pandemic, which had a damaging impression on humanist organizations worldwide. As an illustration, the group in Malaysia closed down. Nevertheless, final month, the board authorized a brand new group from Malaysia and one other from Indonesia as members. Each are planning to attend the Common Meeting together with different representatives from Asia. This occasion provides an amazing alternative for these organizations to strengthen their connections. Previously, we funded Younger Humanist Asia occasions, one in every of which befell in Singapore in 2018 or 2019. Re-establishing these bonds is essential, and the occasion will function worldwide panels and audio system specializing in regional points. This will likely be insightful for attendees from outdoors Asia to know native issues.
Jacobsen: Are the themes for the Common Meeting chosen to be associated year-to-year, or are they unbiased subjects?
McLelland: There isn’t a selected schema for selecting themes. The applicant group usually proposes a theme that’s topical or of specific curiosity to them. That is normally agreed upon in dialog with the board and employees. In some instances, we’ve got requested organizations to contemplate a selected theme because of its relevance, as we did in 2018 with the theme of politics of division and populism. Usually, it’s as much as the internet hosting organizations to suggest themes after they bid to host the Common Meeting. For instance, we’re already discussing the theme for the 2026 World Humanist Congress in Washington, which is being organized by American Atheists. Setting a theme to this point upfront is difficult, particularly given the unpredictable nature of world occasions.
Jacobsen: What do you discover is the spotlight for your self if you attend these occasions?
McLelland: It’s positively assembly folks and seeing them once more in individual. I spend about 5 hours a day on Zoom calls, speaking to folks, however there may be actually no substitute for spending time with somebody in individual and listening to what’s taking place. I’m all the time struck by the truth that if you deliver leaders of humanist organizations from the 4 corners of the world collectively, the challenges, stresses, and difficulties are very comparable, whatever the group’s measurement. For attendees, this may present help and make them really feel a part of one thing bigger, sharing widespread experiences. We discuss being a world motion and a world household and having an opportunity to return collectively in individual annually provides a tangible actuality to that, which is in any other case digital and fewer concrete.
Jacobsen: We now have some elections arising. How can folks apply for positions like treasurer, board member representing Asia, board member representing Latin America, and basic board member?
McLelland: There are 4 vacancies this yr. Our present Treasurer, Boris van der Ham, isn’t standing for re-election, so he will likely be retiring from the board, which is critical, particularly since our present president, Andrew, can even be standing down subsequent yr. This marks a interval of considerable management modifications inside the group on the board stage. It’s a time for open discussions, questions, and challenges to make sure that Humanists Worldwide members really feel they’ve a say within the group’s route. You may apply to hitch the board by visiting our web site athumanists.worldwide/ga2024. I ought to make clear that the 2 restricted board positions for Africa and Asia are usually not consultant roles. As soon as chosen, all board members have equal standing and are there to control the group in one of the best curiosity of Humanists Worldwide. The aim of those positions is to make sure board variety. Previously, the board was nearly solely European and American, which didn’t result in good governance for a world group. Having a various board helps us higher perceive political and cultural points worldwide.
A significant theme for this yr’s Common Meeting is engagement. It’s very important for governance that we re-engage with members. Some members have expressed feeling extra distant from the group’s work for the reason that pandemic. Our membership has grown, and we do many extra issues on-line now that not everybody can entry. The group has additionally grow to be extra advanced, with extra personnel and packages, making it more durable to remain up to date. Subsequently, we’ve agreed to have a fuller agenda on the Common Meeting, sharing the funds, detailed reviews on employees actions, challenges confronted, and future work plans. This transparency is essential as we endure governance and management modifications. Members should be absolutely engaged with these modifications, query assumptions, and contribute their views on the longer term route.
Jacobsen: Who’re the audio system that folks can stay up for seeing this yr?
McLelland: We haven’t introduced the names of the audio system but, so keep tuned for updates.
Jacobsen: For many who wish to be added to the agenda or submit papers, the deadline is July twenty third, right?
McLelland: That’s right. The deadline for all the things associated to the Common Meeting is July twenty third. If you wish to be nominated for a board place, you want the backing of three member organizations. Submit your kind, accessible on our web site, by July twenty third. If you wish to suggest a brand new coverage, have a query answered, or provoke a proper debate or dialogue on the Common Meeting, you possibly can submit that as properly. Any member group can do that. The e-mail deal with is [email protected]. Moreover, if you already know somebody who has accomplished distinctive work within the service of humanism, you possibly can nominate them for the Distinguished Providers to Humanism Award. There’s a kind for this on our web site as properly.
Jacobsen: Wonderful. Thanks.
McLelland: My pleasure.
