Founded in Amsterdam in 1952, International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is the sole world umbrella organisation embracing Humanist, atheist, rationalist, secularist, skeptic, laique, ethical cultural, freethought and similar organisations world-wide.

Our vision is a Humanist world; a world in which human rights are respected and everyone is able to live a life of dignity. The mission of IHEU is to build and represent the global Humanist movement that defends human rights and promotes Humanist values world-wide. IHEU sponsors the triennial World Humanist Congress.

Based in London, IHEU is an international NGO with Special Consultative Status with the UN (New York, Geneva, Vienna), General Consultative Status at UNICEF (New York) and the Council of Europe (Strasbourg), and maintains operational relations with UNESCO (Paris).

IHEU also has offices in New York City, USA at 777 UN Plaza, which houses the IHEU-Appignani Center for Bioethics.

More information is available by choosing the menu options on the left.

To contact us, click these links for our executive committee, email addresses and our mailing address and phone numbers or click here to contact us directly.

Member organisations and kindred organisations can be found in our humanist world section.

IHEU promotes campaigns on various matters of interest to humanists and sponsors conferences, including the World Humanist Congress. It publishes International Humanist News.

Aims

The long term strategic aims of IHEU are:

• To promote Humanism as a non-theistic life stance throughout the world.


• To represent Humanists within the international community and organisations.


• To defend human rights and the rights of Humanists.


• To develop organised Humanism in every part of the world.


• To build a strong and effective global organisation.

Strategy

To pursue our aims we will:

• promote the identity of Humanism including the name and symbol of Humanism


• promote the IHEU Amsterdam Declaration 2002 on Humanism.


• promote freedom of religion and belief


• focus on achieving separation of religion and state throughout the world


• focus on activities that can only be undertaken by a global organisation


• work closely with our member organisations


• support our members in their campaigns and activities


• bring our members together at conferences and in regional groups


• help establish IHEYO as the world Humanist youth organisation.


• use strategic alliances to pursue our aims

Activities

Core IHEU activities are:

1. International conferences: to bring Humanists together and inspire them


2. Campaigns: to promote and defend human rights and Humanist values


3. Representation at international and regional bodies: to further Humanist goals


4. Growth and Development: to support Humanist groups in developing countries


5. Organisational Development: developing the youth movement, a women's network, membership and support