Under the auspices of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the International Congress of International League of Humanists was held in Dubrovnik, from October 23 to October 26, 2005, on the topic “Humanism, World Peace and Globalization“. The chairmanship of the Congress was entrusted upon the Presidency consisting of the top people of the Standing Committee. Acc. Luko Paljetak was chosen as the Chairman of the Congress.

It was presented At the Congress in 15 main speeches and 7 auxiliary speeches comprising the most acute global problems: violence, war, terrorism, hunger, diseases, illiteracy, general retrogression of countries in the postwar period, national minorities’ issues, return of outcasts to their former homes, etc. The Congress indicated the ways and manners for the League to contribute, in practice, to resolution of those problems and to condemn individual acts jeopardizing peace and inflicting suffering.

In the special ceremony in Knežev dvor in Dubrovnik, organized in honor of the Congress by Prof. Dubravka Šuica, Mayor of the City of Dubrovnik, the Congress conferred the Humanist of the Decade award upon acc. Miroslav Radman. The honor to proclaim acc. Radman Humanist of the Decade was bestowed on Semiha Borovac, B.S.L., Mayor of the City of Sarajevo, as a sign of respect which she nourishes towards the mission of International League of Humanists.

COMMITTEE FOR CONGRESS
CONCLUSIONS AND DOCUMENTS

The Chairman of the Congress, acc. Luko Paljetak, expressed his desire for the work of the Congress to be performed in the spirit of friendship and cooperation which are imbuing the League of Humanists. He wished for discussion to take place according to the tenets and principles of humanism, which, as confirmed later, was accepted.  
After hearing different speeches, auxiliary speeches and discussions on the topic “Humanism, World Peace and Globalization”, the Committee believes that “peace is not only the absence of war, but a dynamic process of cooperation among all countries and people, cooperation based on freedom, independence, national sovereignty, equality, observation of human rights, as well as fair and righteous distribution of resources to satisfy the needs of people.”    

• It is important for peace that international rules of humaneness are observed in all conditions.
• In that process, the relenting of tensions, violence, terrorism, hunger, misery, poverty, observance of rights and freedoms of all people are also elements of peace.

1. HEALTH – PEACE FACTOR 

The attitude of all participants of the Congress is that humanists around the world need to join the universal efforts to establish peace with support programs among which is a program for health. “Health – factor of peace” was one of the items under discussion at the Congress. The Committee repeats that health is the greatest wealth and a fundamental human right. They also repeat that protection of human life is a significant deed and the task of the society is to contribute to bringing health to the highest possible level.   

2. SUPPORT TO THE WEAK

Help to victims of all kinds of misfortunes, as a traditional support which humanists have always paid the greatest attention, undoubtedly represents the essential factor of peace. It has been especially stressed that measures for protection of the environment need to be undertaken and for that purpose special ecological protection programs need to be defined

3. YOUTH AND PEACE

The Congress particularly addressed the issues related to the work of youth and work with the youth. Numerous recommendations for performing specific tasks were given which point out the vast possibilities for  young people’s work, especially in the education for peace and understanding.
At this Congress the juniors of the International League of Humanists were founded who will hold their first congress in 2006.  

4. PROGRESS

It is generally accepted that the right of people to safety and well-being needs to be acknowledged. Therefore, development becomes the main task for creating the necessary prerequisites to improve standards of living, to honor and guarantee human dignity, decisive factors for peace among people and nations. 

5. SPORT IN THE FUNCTION OF PEACE

The principles of unity, universality and equality can be achieved, if among people and nations, especially among the youth, we build bridges of cooperation, friendship and intercultural understanding. For these reasons, the Committee believes that the development of sport and nourishment of a tradition of sporting spirit among young people is of exceptional benefit. Youth has to be taught to consider sport as a noble path towards peace and understanding amongst people and nations.

6. TOURISM

As an industry branch significant for overall development, tourism is considered a very important factor for establishment of intercultural understanding among people and nations. Since tourism brings many people to certain regions, creating opportunities for people to get to know each other better in order to appreciate and esteem each other better, it is of precious value. The Project “Tourism in the Mission of Peace and Intercultural Understanding” is the best path towards this goal.

7. UPBRINGING AND EDUCATION

Since the problems of mankind are global and are being tackled at the global level, especially emphasized is the role of MAN/WOMAN as a citizen of the world.  For this reason, the Committee for Education and Science highlighted the following issues which upbringing and education are facing today:

• How to up-bring and educate the free creative personality of an individual as a member of their nation and as a citizen of the world?
• How to overcome local nationalisms and limitations of small ethnic communities, and at the same time preserve the identity and authentic values of each national community and individualism of each individual? 
• How to find a way out of this chaos of intolerant aggressive confrontation among people of different nations, religions, beliefs… different color of their skin, from different parts of the world?

Besides all these global issues of mankind, the countries in transition have their own specific problems. How to restructure the economy and overcome the economic crises? How to improve international, inter-religious and political relations and develop the same in the direction of modern integrations of mankind and modern humanistic inter-nation relations?

THE ANSWER is upbringing and education instituted upon humanistic tenets and principles, based upon the four assumptions:

• A global vision of the future world being wished for and world of humanitarian people;
• Alternative thinking which liberates  thought from submission to the existing and opens it for new possibilities; 
• Life strategy guided upon the principles of “be” and “have” and not only “have”;
• Activities of inclusion and participation freed from violence and fanatics.

The primary task of the International League of Humanists is to contribute to preservation of peace and stability by developing cooperation among people through education, science, culture, research, promoting accomplishments in building democracy and peace, in order to ensure universal observation of justice, legitimacy and human rights and fundamental freedoms established by the UN Charter for all people of the world regardless of race, sex, language or religion.

8. PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM 

ABUSE AND VIOLENCE

Recent conflicts on the territory of BiH, Croatia and in other countries with “inside” or “outside” war drew our attention to:

• The position of children in conflicts and the need to improve protections to  which they have the right  by all laws and customs of war;
• The protection of children under the age of 15 from engagement in war, military or political purposes is also demanded;
• Protection of children from abuse and any other type of violence in family or society, protection against abuse for “medical”, sexual or trade purposes;
• Protection of children from addiction to drugs, alcohol, etc.
• Right to primary education, right to nourishment, and health protection for all children.

The Congress took a sole stand that the well-being of children requires action from all entities of society according to the principles of “everybody for themselves” and “everyone together”.
We agreed to give priority in our work and activities to children’s rights, their survival, their protection, and development. We agreed to act in that direction jointly through international cooperation. We will advocate that all children need to be offered the opportunity to find their own identity and recognize their value in the environment which provides them with safety and support in family and in other institutions responsible for their well-being.

9. AWARDS AND HONOURS– SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO

PROMOTING MISSION OF INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE OF HUMANISTS

Participants of the Congress agree to, with the aim of stimulation and respect, confer awards and honors to institutions, individuals, organizations, social and political, public and cultural institutions contributing to improvement of public promotion of the peace mission of the International League of Humanists in all areas, especially with respect to bringing people from all over the world together, which need to be further affirmed and oriented towards the main aims of mission of the League for peace.

10. DECISIONS OF THE CONGRESS

Upon the proposal of the Committee for Organizational, Personnel and Statute Issues, World Congress of Humanists Unity at the final plenary meeting on October 25, 2005 adopted numerous decisions:

1. Decision on Amendments of the Statute of 1998.
2. Decision upon which May 24 is proclaimed as the DAY OF INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE OF HUMANISTS, when laureates will be promoted and special awards and honors conferred.  
3. Decision on Appointment of acc. Helmut Moritza President of International League of Humanists in second mandate.
4. Decision on Appointment of Dr. Sonja Stiegelbauer-Starrach Vice President of International League of Humanists.
5. Decision on Appointment of Msgr. Dr. Franjo Komarica Vice President of International League of Humanists in second mandate.
6. Decision on Appointment of Prof. Zdravko Šurlan Secretary General without limited mandate (Decision of the Congress from 1998 confirmed).
7. Decision on Appointment of Mr. Damir Matkovic Deputy Secretary General.
8. DECISION on Appointment of Members of International Standing Committee consisted of:

• Acc. Ivan Supek, Honorary President, (Croatia)
• Acc. Helmut Moritz, (Austria)
• Dr. Sonja Stiegelbauer-Starrach, (Austria)
• Msgr. Dr. Franjo Komarica,(BiH)
• Prof. Zdravko Šurlan, (BiH)
• Miroslav Polzer, Ph.D., (Slovenia)
• Acc. Denis Berrenyi, (Hungary)
• Acc. Vladimir I. Kelis Borok, (Russia)
• Vladimir Knapp, Ph.D., (Croatia)
• Uri Šamir, Ph.D., (Israel)
• Fuada Stanković, Ph.D., (Serbia and Montenegro)
• Ralph Manly, Ph.D., (Great Britain)
• Acc. Arif Tanović, (BiH)
• Dr. Stephen Jakovac, (USA)
• Acc. Luko Paljetak, (Croatia)
• Acc. Nikola Kovač, (BiH)
• Petr Holota, Ph.D., (Czech Republic)

• Committee for Protection of Children against Abuse and Violence.
• DECISION on Holding the Headquarters of International League of Humanists in Sarajevo, capital city of BiH.
• DECISION on Founding the International University “Philip Noel-Baker” with its headquarters in Sarajevo.
• DECISION on Appointment of Stiepe Andrijić, Ph.D., Rector of “Philip Noel – Baker” University in founding.
• DECISION on Confirmation of ILH Decision from 2002 upon which Mr. Juan Antonio Samaranch is proclaimed Honorary Ambassador of Sport and Culture of Peace.
• DECISION on Proclamation of Mr. JUAN MARIA TINTORE TURULL International Humanist of the Year 2005.
• DECISION on Proclamation of the City of Barcelona International Humanistic City, (Decision from 2002)
•  DECISION on  Admission of Young Humanists

• Ana Lujo, Ajla Lasić, Milan Marinković, Dora Tamari - Tutnjević, Barbara Daničić, Miljenko Tošaj, Muamer Musabašić, Frano Banić, Antonia Pavlović, Ivana Žagar, Bojan Radević, Lejla Šebić, Dijana Marlais, Ismihana Fehrić, Nina Barić.

Greeting letter from Dr Sonja Stiegelbauer

Appreciated Members of the League of Humanists!
Ladies and Gentlemen!

I am deeply thankful for your invitation and for calling me “the friend who never forgets us”. How could I ever forget you? I have been even closer connected with you through my National Library - project in Sarajevo. That project is keeping me so busy, that I can only send you my video message, instead of being with you. I am very sorry for not being able to participate in the congress personally, but working for peace in your region, means also working to get this devastated object, so closely connected to the destiny of  Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sarajevo, and its peoples, renovated and ready to symbolise the better future.

Thank you for showing the world,  through the work of this congress that humanism lives and makes peaceful living possible.
This was also shown in the recently celebrated 1st World Oriental Music Festival in Sarajevo, where I had the honour to congratulate the first prize - winner with my clear message:
Learn, know and respect one another, then you will never hate one another! The stranger with a name is no longer a stranger!

Bosnia-Herzegovina shows that its people are able to do marvellous things in culture and science, but not in politics as the recently failing police reform demonstrated. Police in Europe can work across country borders, but in BiH police has not even been able to cooperate over an entity border, that is between the Federation of BiH and Republika Srpska, given by the Dayton Peace Accord, now 10 years ago,.
How did it happen, that a country of 53 000 km2 and 3,5 Mil of inhabitants with 3 constituent peoples got 2 entities with 5 governmental levels, consuming 67% of the state budget instead of about 33% to 38% as in all other countries in the world?

For all these reasons, for all these missions yet to be achieved it is my great pleasure to be with you in this highly beneficial event as your honoured member and the Ambassador of the Culture of Peace, laureate of the GOLDEN CHARTER OF PEACE, THE “LINUS PAULING AWARD” as a sign of everlasting gratitude and recognition for the contribution in building of the culture of peace on universal humanistic tenets.
I promised that this is now my lifelong scope of duties and mission  in the same field as I did it in my former function as the Special Representative of the Secretary General  of the Council of Europe to Bosnia and Herzegovina namely having recognized that the war in Bosnia Herzegovina was a tragedy for the citizens and that it had not only destroyed villages and cities, material and cultural goods, but also scattered the disunion and hatred among individuals, who were once friends and neighbours.

As a promoter of democracy, peace and respect and of human rights and dignity,
I wish to work as hard as possible, so that the future generations will see prosperous futures in their home country Bosnia Herzegovina, a part of united Europe.

I call on you to give a closer look to the Culture of Peace we are promoting! We are referring to a set of values, attitudes, modes of behaviour and ways of life that reject violence and prevent conflicts by tackling their root causes and solving problems through dialogue and negotiation among individuals, groups and nations. Peace means not only the absence of conflict but requires a positive, dynamic and ongoing participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.

The defence of peace begins not at the conference tables and through declarations of diplomats and politicians, it can only be born in the minds of men and women.
So education for peace must not be restricted to the classroom for it is the society itself which is the greatest educator – not only teachers but parents, media, religious leaders, politicians, all form the image of a society and leave footprints for our children to follow. This is why we must address a range of issues in our projects and initiatives. We must promote sustainable economic development and social responsibility; we must promote respect for all human rights – as human rights and a culture of peace are complementary concepts.

We must ensure equality between women and men;
we must foster democratic participation on all levels;
we must support participatory communication and the free flow of information and knowledge – all this and more in order to promote the international peace and security.  It is difficult to concentrate on a single issue or a single aspect of our social, political and economic reality when talking about the culture of peace – simply because it touches literally every aspect of our lives. It is, as I said, an attitude, a way of thinking and acting both in our households and on the political arena. As human beings we have not one but many identities and belong to not one but many communities – to understand that is the begin to understand the complex way we relate to one another in this global village.

Also, when talking about Human Rights in this part of Europe in general, we tend to focus our attention on civil and political rights. However, the question of the protection of social and economic rights is becoming more and more acutely important throughout the world.
Social and economic rights such as
the right to fair pay,
the right to social security,
the right to protection of health,
the right to protection in case of unjustified dismissal,
correspond to the present-day aspirations and concerns of millions of people. It may be argued that in the Balkans the economic climate does not constitute the best of circumstances for the promotion of these rights. Our observations should never challenge the fact that social and economic rights are human rights that can never be separated from civil and political rights. There is no hierarchy of importance; only together they constitute an interdependent corpus of fundamental rights.

Although it is true that our constitutions and laws make provisions for social and economic protection of all citizens, the rights guaranteed by law often fall short of real implementation left without effective mechanisms of their safeguarding.

Ladies and Gentlemen!
Appreciated members of the League of Humanists!

You have promised that you will give a clear message to the statesmen of the world. Will you listen to my proposal?

To bring peace into war zones of the world is great achievement we must always strive to, but the peacemakers must learn and respect the history of the areas in conflict and connect the possible energies, always letting the borders run naturally, not divide families and friends and nations.
Peacemakers must emphasize and make possible the positive aspects, like economy and better living conditions for the people; only then those confronted with their terrible situation will start believing in their future and their home country. Then they will also believe in their available prosperity!
On one hand peacemakers must bring infrastructure and the possibilities of jobs, on the other hand peacemakers must do all, so that the justice and reconciliation can create forgiveness and the highest step: leaving the past in the past and focussing fully on the future.
Let the peacemakers know, that without Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights protection the Humanism and Social Competences never can get reached.
I wish you all insightful and productive days and --- I look forward with great interest to your declaration.
Thank you