Preamble

There is a compelling need to define and proclaim a new global ethic for humankind and all other forms of life.

It is dramatically clear today that our earth is made up of interdependent nation-states and that whatever happens on one part of the planet affects all the rest. Whenever human rights are violated, all of humanity suffers. The basic premise of this global ethic is that each of us has a stake in developing a universal moral awareness, each of us has a responsibility to the world community at large.

The 1986 Humanist World Congress wishes to express in public our grave concern at the continuation and escalation of international tension and of the armaments build-up between East and West, despite the good intentions expressed at the Geneva summit meeting.

Whereas all the products and primary productive equipment and facilities which can be made available are not sufficient to meet all the world's needs, the Board of the International Humanist & Ethical Union at its Congress held in Paris, France, July 1966, formulates the following proposal to maximise world wide supply.

The IHEU recommends to the heads of all national governments the establishment of an International Plan calling for participation of all countries without exception in the creation of an International agency to co-ordinate and to allocate all export availabilities on a world wide basis. Projections of five year periods would be contemplated. This would involve the mobilisation of all primary productive facilities throughout the world.

The congress has taken note of the following statement on World Policy and urges each member organisation to set up a small permanent workshop on World Security, with the following terms of reference:

1. To study the problem of national defence and international security,
2. Take account of other groups working on these problems, and to establish any useful co-operation,
3. To stimulate, inform and articulate thinking within the organisation on these problems, and to make proposals for action when advisable,

The trend of civilisation is toward integration of national communities rather than increasing separation.

The great humanist tradition of toleration has never been merely a device of expediency, it embodies respect for the claims of others, and a commitment to work towards agreement. History justifies this practical faith in man. In great measure, the problems of every nation have become the problems of all, and the present need for mutual toleration, expressed in restraint and in international co-operation is widely excepted.