Peter Dankwa on Humanists International Luxembourg Conference: Mentorship, Storytelling, and Global Accessibility

Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project

Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/08/30

Scott Douglas Jacobsen interviews Peter Dankwa, a Ghanaian humanist and creative professional, about his experience at the 2025 Humanists International General Assembly and Conference in Luxembourg. Dankwa highlights the diverse presentations, including projects on science advocacy, storytelling, and humanist mentorship. He shares how meeting global delegates, from Bob Reuter of AHA Luxembourg to Darlene of Humanists Barbados, enriched his perspective. Dankwa also emphasizes challenges with visa accessibility for African participants and proposes a membership ID system to strengthen international participation. Jacobsen, a Canadian writer and interviewer, reflects on the importance of conferences in building cross-cultural connections and sustaining the humanist movement.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: So today, once again, we are here with the wonderful and talented Peter Dankwa. We are going to be talking about Luxembourg. What was your biggest takeaway from that excellent conference, co-hosted by Humanists International and AHA Luxembourg Humanists under the wonderful reception of Bob Reuter?

Peter Dankwa: Thank you for having me, Scott. It was exciting meeting you in person. Luxembourg 2025 was a beautiful experience. At this year’s Humanists International General Assembly and Conference in Luxembourg, the takeaway was enormous for me—not just because of the conference theme, From Awareness to Action: Strengthening Open Societies through Scientific Literacy, which focused on advocating for science and its application in society, but also because of the variety of topics handled by the speakers. They reminded us that there are different facets of society we need to harmonize to ensure science-based education is accessible and practicable, highlighting the importance of everyone’s work, from the lab to the streets.

All who took the stage to present their project offered something valuable—something practical you could learn from and apply. It brought to light the challenges people face in different parts of the world but, most importantly, the progress humanists are making in advocating science-based education. I loved the science calendar project presented by Monika, and I also enjoyed David’s project – Science in a Box: Hands-On Learning in the Guatemalan Highlands; honestly, everything came together beautifully.

I believe that these initiatives are sustainable and much needed in a time where there is inordinate misinformation. 

Jacobsen: Who else was it your first time meeting in person, even though you’d known and communicated with them for several months—or even years—like me?

Dankwa: Leon Langdon, the Advocacy Officer. 

Jacobsen: Oh, Leon! Isn’t he tall? 

Dankwa: A really tall man—it’s fantastic. It makes you feel like you’re in a different world.

It was also lovely meeting Jean, as I usually only know staff and board members by name when sharing publications or announcements. This time, I got to meet some of the new people in person, which was really wonderful. I also met some great new friends, like Darlene, the President of Humanists Barbados, Diego Vargas of Columbia, François, Nicole, Raquel, Andres and many more. 

My favourite time after the conference was exploring Luxembour with AJ Surin and Darlene. 

Jacobsen: What about the presentations that really struck you?

Dankwa: All the presentations were excellent—very detailed and thought-provoking. You could tell from the flurry of questions and contributions during the Q&A session. I’ll admit that as a creative person, Boris’s presentation about storytelling and bringing humanism to life through stories struck a chord with me. Humanism has beautiful things that need to be shared – and what easier way to do that than through storytelling?

Also on the Enlightenment, there were different nuances in there that the presenter, Christian Meyers—if I got the name right—was able to bring to light. Dr. Leo’s contribution during the Q&A session challenged me to think about the future of Enlightenment, which should not always be about focusing on its past but about bringing the past and present together to forge the way forward.

How can I forget the presentations made to Andrew Copson on the last day of his tenure as president of Humanists International? There were so many memories being shared that the room was electrified with sweet emotions. Dr. Leo managed to have all of us in tears with his presentation to Andrew.

Andrew truly left his mark. A testament to the fruits of mentorship in Humanists International.

Jacobsen: What would you like to see in terms of accessibility for everyone to be able to attend? I believe there were over 50 countries represented, which is significant for any conference by any metric, but, of course, there’s always room for improvement. No one ever achieves 100 per cent anything in the real world. What do you think could be improved in terms of global accessibility? It’s often mentioned, for example, that visas are a necessity for many African delegates travelling to European countries, but even with funding, the visa is not always guaranteed. What are your thoughts on that?

Dankwa: That’s an important aspect of the whole organization. It might surprise you to know that my first visa application was denied, and I had to reapply with the timely support of Bob Reuter and Javan. Would you believe I received my visa just a day before my flight to Luxembourg? So I didn’t know my fate until the last moment. The experience was frustratingly daunting, aside the costly fact that most denied visa applications are non-refundable. In total, African countries lost 60 million euros in rejected Schengen visa fees in 2024, according to LAGO Collective.

The process has always been very stringent, discouraging many Africans from even harbouring the intention to apply. Some of them have been denied in the past, completely demotivating them from putting in future applications. 

I believe introducing a membership ID system for individuals in member organisations can enhance the organization’s database. This could give credence to our membership and its management. 

The practice is that you need to present an invitation letter from your local organization, another from Humanists International, and one from the host organization. But I believe if an individual’s unique membership ID were also quoted in the invitation letters, it would provide strong credibility. If you are part of an organization, there should be some form of ID showing that you are a member—not just by word of mouth or on a piece of paper. A membership ID would strengthen that case.

That’s something I’ve been thinking about, and I even shared it with my mentor Roslyn Mould, Vice President of Humanists International.

Perhaps we should also consider this, given our current global, digitalized world. These kinds of things are important for archiving information. For example, we could even have a database on the website where, if you wanted to find out more about a member, the membership ID could serve as the key. I think that would make life easier both for the organization and for members. 

Jacobsen: You mentioned that the organization was done well. What about the structure of the conference itself—presentations, coffee breaks, panel, lunch breaks, and so on? Do you think that helped keep everyone focused, so they didn’t get foggy-headed, and also encouraged people to meet and talk with new people? Or would you have done it differently?

Dankwa: I think I’d be tempted to crave this format again, whether next year in Canada or at future conferences, because the breaks were well interwoven at this year’s conference. You didn’t get bored from sitting since the presentations were mostly lively, and during coffee break, the high-table-without-chair arrangement naturally encouraged you to move around and interact with other delegates.

The structure of presentations also worked well, almost like a buildup—moving from one interesting topic subject to another exciting one, unveiling different layers of the conference theme. 

And oh! Luxembourg! Luxembourg! Luxembourg! 

Just when I was enraptured with Singapore’s easily accessible and digitized transport system, Luxembourg knocked me off my feet with their even free public transportation. 

Jacobsen: That’s a great point. I think Luxembourg might actually be the first country in the world to make all public transport—buses, trains, and trams—completely free. That’s an excellent example of how national infrastructure investment can make life easier for everyone. And it was so well organized; nothing felt half-done.

Dankwa: Yes, very well organized. The locals were friendly, evident in the country’s rich multicultural landscape. For a polyglot like myself, hearing Dutch, German, French, and English all around was just a beautiful sight to behold.

Jacobsen: What did you think about the weather in Luxembourg compared with Ghana?

Dankwa: Ghana is hot, so I embraced Luxembourg’s chilliness. At first, I doubted my prowess to manage the cold. But for some reason, knowing I would only be there for a few days, I resolved to enjoy the weather, knowing Ghana’s sun awaited me with fiery arms. 

Dankwa: In fact, when Darlene, AJ and I went into town to explore, I was actually in shorts while everyone else was in pants and long sleeves. That particular day, it was cold, but I decided to go out in my short-sleeved shirt. I even let the rain beat me for a while because I knew I wouldn’t get to enjoy that kind of weather again anytime soon. I just let my inner child out and enjoyed it.

Jacobsen: Are you thinking of doing any presentations at the next conference?

Dankwa: Yes, definitely. I was hoping to have done one this time, like I did in Singapore, but I think the arrangement was different this time. 

I’m sure delegates would have embraced the opportunity to share a few words or their talent. That kind that brings out interesting yet relatable stories. And it helps with networking as you finally put faces to names you might have once had correspondences with through online chats.

For example, Scott, the countless interviews you do with people—before, during and after conferences—live on in the organization, even when you aren’t physically present. That shows encourages me that if I believe something’s valuable and useful, I should share it.

I’ve already begun drafting a few ideas for Canada. I will also talk with Martin to see what we can do for Canada. Hopefully, I’ll prepare something memorable for everyone to take home. I won’t say what it is yet—it should be a surprise if it comes through.

Jacobsen: What was your favourite piece of Luxembourgish culture or food, or perhaps a quote from someone you met there?

Dankwa: That would be the diverse landscape. The country’s scenery is fantastic—you have hills, valleys, and very picturesque views. There are vintage, Italianate-style buildings, but also modern high-rises. You see almost everything in one place.

My preconceptions about Luxembourg were from the castellated buildings I see in photos, but exploring the city, I was enthralled in the diverse landscape. It was as though it had every landscape in the world. 

Jacobsen: Thank you very much for your time today, Peter.

Dankwa: Let me also ask—what was your big moment in Luxembourg?

Jacobsen: Oh, yes. If you’re going to walk everywhere, be ready for some cardio! But honestly, I just love seeing everyone every year. That’s what I really like. I want to go to every single conference I can because, for me, it’s always the highlight of the year.

It’s about engaging with different cultures, meeting new people, reconnecting with familiar faces, and of course, having the chance to do interviews and share stories. There’s just a different energy at these gatherings that I don’t get anywhere else. I really love that.

Dankwa: And kudos on your nomination as well. I think it’s a step in the right direction. You can even accomplish a lot more with your efforts to make the works of humanism accessible to all once you’re on the board. Good luck, as always.

Jacobsen: Thank you—and thank you as well to the Ghanaians, the Nigerians, and the Filipinos for supporting me to get there.

Dankwa: Sure, sure. Alright then—thank you so much.

Jacobsen: Thank you. Take care. Bye-bye.

Dankwa: Bye-bye.

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