The Humanist International works towards the construction of a universal human nation, multicultural, multi-ethnic and of multiple faiths. We are convinced that the present system and it's institutions have neither the capability nor the will to solve today's problems; we invite humanists of the world to unite in common action.

Our Objectives

The objectives of the Humanist International are:

Our Principles

Humanists are all those who struggle against violence and discrimination, and who propose greater freedom of choice for the human being.

Humanists reject the formal political democracy that prevails in the world today, which is manipulated by money and which deprives people of real freedom of choice.

Humanists promote human beings and their fundamental needs as the central value and concern in society with no other values or priorities imposed above them.

This principle has enormous consequences, particularly at a time and in a system where money is the central value and everything else is subject to its "tyranny".

We have adopted, as one of our founding documents, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations, which despite requiring a more profound definition of human beings and their rights, is nevertheless an extremely relevant document.

Setting standards of Human Rights

We live in a world where change is occurring at an ever faster pace, creating a considerable impact on society. The integration of markets for the benefit of large financial capital is clashing in its expansion with national identities, cultures, religions and ways of life thus creating enormous suffering and contradiction.

Although globalisation is a topic that fills many discussions and public fora in today's world, it is mainly the economic aspects of this globalisation which are taken into consideration, while the human aspects are relegated to a place of secondary importance.

In the same way in which economic rights are becoming global, creating the possibility for commerce to develop internationally, the human rights and responsibilities of all people must become truly global.

The moment has come to establish a new global dialogue which seeks to answer the question "How do human beings want to live and under what conditions?"

International standards of rights, freedoms and responsibilities must be set, as well as standards of social, political and legal rights. The common characteristic must be the advancement of the power of decision-making by the people.

A recent positive development along these lines is the adoption of a common standard in criminal law, confirmed by the recent resolution of the highest Court in Britain, which declared that no-one could enjoy immunity from prosecution for crimes against humanity and which enabled prosecution in any jurisdiction.

It is only by setting accountable standards in all areas of human activity that real integration will take place across the globe and we will see the beginning of the formation of the first truly universal human nation.

Our Background

The international vision of New Humanism began to express itself politically following the beginning of the formation of Humanist Parties in different parts of the world in 1984. In January 1989, in Florence, Italy, the political parties who supported New Humanism, subscribed, at a public meeting, to an agreement to create a co-ordinating body under the banner of the Humanist International. The International would have the function of collecting and distributing information amongst member parties; of disseminating humanist thinking and action and of promoting international solidarity between nations struggling for their political, economic and social liberation.