In 1956 a few members of the "Association for Civil Confirmation" called a meeting in order to form an organization "for those who feel that ethical problems should be solved independently of religious or metaphysical systems".
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Kristian Horn, founder of The Norwegian
Humanist Association
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The Norwegian Humanist Association ("Human-Etisk Forbund") was founded on April 9th 1956. Its leader and founder was Professor of Botanics, Kristian Horn, who acted as chairman of the board for twenty years (1956 - 1976). A small, but sturdy organization grew under his leadership.
In 1970 an official census took place in Norway. As a result nationwide action was taken, calling on non-religious people to leave the State Church which gave an impetus to the humanist movement. |
The seventies brought noticeable growth to the organization. Levi Fragell was nominated chairman of the board in 1976, and later acted as secretary general until 1991. He was President of IHEU from 1988–2003.
Currently Mrs. Åse Kleveland is President of the Norwegian Humanist Association and Mrs. Kristin Mile is the secretary general.
The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) was founded in 1952, with Julian Huxley, the first director of UNESCO, as its first president. It has member organizations in all five continents, and also individual members throughout the world. The IHEU publishes the magazine "International Humanist".
The Norwegian Humanist Association is also a member of the European Humanist Federation (EHF).