The Fifth Assembly of the World Humanist Forum concluded this Sunday, having convened under the theme “Toward the Universal Human Nation. Moving forward with collective action to build a world based on solidarity and nonviolence.”
In a beautiful display of the convergence of diversity, humanists from every continent gathered to continue the task of building a world free of discrimination and violence in all its forms.
It is worth noting that this diversity was also reflected in the participation of various sectors. Grassroots organizations, academics, artists, educators, farmers, and activists from the feminist, pacifist, and political movements came together over two days to discuss the next steps in this Forum’s ongoing process.
The great interest generated by the gathering was reflected in the 500 registrations received from 52 countries. The event was supported by the World Network of Universities for Innovation in Leadership (WUNI-L), whose president, Dr. Robert Frederick Hayden, extended a message of good wishes to the participants, emphasizing the importance of building networks and alliances at this critical moment.
Highlights of the Fifth Assembly
Following a heartfelt opening ceremony, the Assembly reviewed key activities carried out since the previous meeting.
From the Music, Art, and Culture Working Group, its mentor Tracey Kadada (Kenya) delivered a vibrant report on the journey undertaken by a delegation of artists, journalists, and cultural workers through Tanzania, Zambia, and Malawi, championing the motto of an Africa Without Borders. The initiative included visits and performances at educational, cultural, and religious centers, and engaged in dialogue with children, rural communities, and local organizers.
Another moving moment came during the reading of a testimony from a young man in prison who has been participating in a program that members of the Humanist Movement and Silo’s Communities of the Message have been running for several years in various prisons across Argentina.
In a wonderful and exemplary initiative, a similar program called “Behind Bars” is being carried out in several prisons in Kenya by the World Humanist Forum’s working groups dedicated to Internal Development, Education, and the fight against Gender Violence. In the account shared by Josefina Salazar, Rose Neema, and Dorothy Adenga, the connection of hearts—beyond all geographical distance—was made evident in the mission to bring a message of compassion, reconciliation, and openness to both inmates and those who work in these institutions.
It was truly inspiring to witness the work of educators in various parts of Latin America, whose “Educational Stories for Peace and Nonviolence”—numbering nearly 40 to date—are being compiled by the Forum’s Education Working Group. Carlos Crespo of Ecuador, who co-chairs the Working Group with Dorothy Adenga, noted that they continue to make progress in researching and building a new humanistic educational paradigm.
Regarding the impacts of the current systemic crisis, the Assembly heard reports from various regions. Samuel Ochieng discussed the situation facing young African university students, while his colleague, Ruth Karume, denounced gender-based violence and femicides, which continue to profoundly affect women’s lives and futures.
From Europe, Iceland’s former Minister of the Interior, Ögmundur Jonasson, provided a historical overview of peace movements and issued a strong call to end the arms race and wars through massive citizen mobilization.
Joaquín Locatti, a member of the Forum’s Committee on the Economy and Universal Basic Income, described the situation in Latin America as characterized by “the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of governments that serve the interests of the elites, high levels of corruption, the weakening of public policies, a crisis of political representation, and manipulation by foreign powers.”
From North America, David Andersson noted that the current crisis in the United States must be understood as a systemic crisis linked to the struggle for global power, geopolitical control, and the reconfiguration of international influence.
While a significant portion of the population still benefits from the system, inequality continues to deepen. The poor are becoming poorer, while wealth is concentrated among the rich and upper-middle classes. At the same time, the humanist activist noted that “opposition movements are growing, with millions of people mobilizing around issues such as democracy, immigration policies, and social rights.”
The description of the global crisis culminated with the screening of the video “AsiaSpeaks,” which featured voices from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Backed by compelling statistics, professors and students outlined the dire situation facing the populations of their countries due to the wars unleashed by the governments of Israel and the United States in West Asia.
Next, the audience heard from Silo, founder of the New Humanism movement, who, from the movement’s birthplace—a site nestled near the Andes—proclaimed the urgent need for all humanists around the world to unite in order to tear down the wall that has been erected in the face of our highest aspirations.
As a contribution to the collective discussion, Lía Méndez, coordinator of the Forum’s Human Rights Committee, outlined the six key aspects of the approach that define humanistic sensibility and guide its actions in the world.
This attitude places the human being at the center as a core value and concern, affirms the equality of all people, and recognizes personal and cultural diversity. Similarly, it fosters any tendency toward the development of knowledge beyond the limitations imposed on thought by prejudices accepted as absolute or immutable truths.
The humanist attitude affirms freedom of ideas and beliefs, while repudiating and denouncing not only forms of physical violence, but all other forms of economic, racial, sexual, gender-based, institutional, religious, moral, and psychological violence, as everyday occurrences deeply rooted in every region of the world.
Conclusions
The debates of the Fifth Assembly of the World Humanist Forum yielded important conclusions. There was a unanimous conviction expressed in the opening paragraphs of the Final Declaration:
“the path to the Universal Human Nation will not come from the palaces of established power, but is built day by day from the very foundation of our society.”
“That human dignity is the supreme value, above any border, economic system, political ideology, or artificial division. That peace is not merely the absence of war, but the active presence of justice, inclusion, mutual respect, and social responsibility. That the transformation of the world must go hand in hand with the inner transformation of each individual, which is reflected in our relationships with our surroundings.”
Regarding the direction to strengthen and expand, twelve points were detailed that can help guide concrete humanist action at the grassroots level. Among these, the following stand out: the task of breaking down social isolation; demanding the total abolition of nuclear weapons and advancing progressive disarmament; reimagining the concept of justice; anchoring technology in ethics; and using sports, music, and art as universal languages of peace.
It is also essential, the Declaration emphasizes, to empower youth as architects of the Universal Human Nation, celebrate religious diversity and spirituality, amplify good news and humanist actions, ensuring that stories of hope travel as quickly as those of conflict and despair. Another highly relevant aspect is advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, ensuring that no one is left behind and that every person can contribute their strengths to the world.
Being present in times of disaster and strengthening grassroots networks and international solidarity movements are additional themes to keep firmly in mind in collective action.
Finally, in line with the proposal for simultaneous transformation at the individual and social levels, the Declaration proposes a commitment to approach each person with an open and genuine attitude, to recognize in every human being their individual, social, and spiritual dimensions, to rely on what unites us, and to adopt coherence as a way of life, practicing nonviolence, empathy, and non-discrimination on a daily basis. In short, to guide individual and collective existence by that Golden Rule present in all cultures that invites us to treat others the way we want to be treated.
This powerful proclamation concludes with a reflection and a clear, encouraging call to action: “The Universal Human Nation is not a distant vision; we are building it. We do not wait for the world to change on its own; it is we who, by choosing solidarity over indifference and humanity over systems, are weaving the fabric of a new society.”
An influence that grows beyond any border
The echoes of humanist action are felt far beyond the boundaries of the specific activities carried out. A clear example of this are some testimonials received during and after this milestone.
From Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, Dr. Tanan Jargalsaikhan sent a message that we reproduce in part in this article:
“Thank you very much for the inspiring opportunity to participate in the Fifth Assembly of the World Humanist Forum. For me, as a first-time participant, it has been a truly meaningful and thought-provoking experience.
I particularly appreciated the thematic discussions on education and the diversity of reflections shared by participants from different regions of the world. The conversations on global instability, human-centered development, education, artificial intelligence, cultural memory, grassroots solidarity, and international cooperation have been deeply inspiring and intellectually enriching.”
For her part, Dr. Bela-o stated from the Philippines:
“Just as in ancient Roman cities, where forums, located outside cities and towns, were places to trade goods, exchange ideas, share arts, or simply socialize freely, openly, and without restrictions, the World Humanist Forum aims for a similar level of communication and exchange of experiences and best practices on the path toward creating a free, nonviolent, and more humane society. Humanists aspire to a Universal Human Nation, free from violence in all its forms, where Universal Human Rights are upheld and respected everywhere, and where the guiding principle of interaction is ‘Treat others as you would like to be treated.’”
