The International Humanist and Ethical Union is the world union of more than 100 Humanist, rationalist, secular, ethical culture, atheist and freethought organizations from more than 40 countries. Its mission is to represent and support the global Humanist movement, with the ultimate goal of building a Humanist world in which human rights are respected and all can live a life of dignity.

As a federation of national and regional Humanist groups, IHEU co-ordinates activities of its Member Organizations, stimulates their policies and guides their strategies, fosters the growth of new Humanist groups, and represents the interests of Humanists at the United Nations and other international forums. IHEU’s Member Organizations range from large membership groups to specialist bodies such as publishers, universities and development agencies.

IHEU is a clearing-house for information and inspiration, and a forum where Humanist organizations and individuals can exchange thoughts and expertise for improving the impact of national and international activities. By representing Humanism to the world media, IHEU ensures that an ever-greater number of people learn of the Humanist alternative.

IHEU is democratically organized and is funded by donations and membership dues from its Member Organizations and Individual Supporters. IHEU Member Organizations are Full Members, Specialist Members or Associate Members. Individuals can associate themselves with IHEU by becoming Individual Supporters.

Founded in the Netherlands in 1952, the IHEU is incorporated in New York and headquartered in London, UK. IHEU is an international NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) with Special Consultative Status with the United Nations (New York, Geneva, Vienna), General Consultative Status at UNICEF (New York) and the Council of Europe (Strasbourg), and Observer Status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. IHEU also maintains operational relations with UNESCO (Paris).

IHEU promotes campaigns on various matters of interest to humanists and sponsors conferences, including the triennial World Humanist Congress. It publishes a quarterly magazine, International Humanist News, and a French language magazine, Informations Humanistes Internationales.

The primary campaign themes of IHEU are:

• For freedom of religion and belief and freedom of conscience
• For the abolition of blasphemy and apostasy laws
• For constitutional secularism and separation of religion and state
• Against child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM)
• Against persecution based on religion and belief
• For recognition of and respect for human rights, particularly the human rights of women and children
• For the human rights of untouchables and against untouchability
• For a humanist approach to social issues