The 2026 Humanist World Congress in Ottawa adopted the declaration “Humanism as Resistance.” As a member of Humanists International, we support the statements in the Ottawa Declaration.
1. Humanism is not just a set of values, but an active way of life. We reaffirm the progressive and optimistic vision of our Amsterdam Declaration: that every person has the right to the greatest possible freedom compatible with the rights of others. Yet human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. In times of global challenges and global uncertainty, humanists must not only envision a better future but also take action. We must defend the foundations that make a better future possible and counteract the forces that undermine this vision.
2. We oppose the global resurgence of authoritarianism and warmongering. We reject extreme nationalism and demagoguery, which together threaten peace and stability in all parts of the world. And we stand united against the increasing restrictions on the right to freedom of thought and expression, particularly through the political instrumentalization of police measures, the rise in political intimidation, and the escalation of state censorship aimed at silencing humanists and other human rights defenders.
3. We oppose the normalization of hate and dehumanization. Dehumanization always paves the way for discrimination, persecution, and mass crimes by making the suffering of others seem acceptable or even deserved. It precedes most human rights violations. We firmly reject the resurgence of irrationality and anti-science sentiment, as well as the deliberate spread of misinformation and hate, which poison public discourse. We condemn racism, xenophobia, and the incitement of hatred and violence against minorities—which are often cynically justified in the name of religious freedom—and remind all institutions and the people working within them that every human life has equal and inalienable value.
4. We oppose the erosion of human dignity caused by new technologies. We strongly urge governments to prevent the development of technological systems that lack human empathy or that exacerbate discrimination through bias. All technologies must remain accountable to people and be consistent with human dignity, empathy, democratic oversight, and our ethical obligations. We commit to protecting the freedom of our thoughts and our right to privacy from digital surveillance, whether by governments or private companies.
5. We reaffirm the power of individual action. Resistance begins with the realization that all people possess the innate ability to shape a more just future. By embracing the universal ethical norms enshrined in international human rights treaties and declarations, and by practicing active critical thinking, all people can develop greater individual agency as well as the collective capacity to organize and combat oppression. We advocate for ethical education and rational thinking, as well as for the cultivation of radical hope—as a conscious, strategic act of resistance against the despair that demagogues seek to exploit.
6. We are committed to compassionate solidarity. Authoritarianism thrives on isolation; humanism thrives on solidarity. We recognize that the burden of advocating for human rights can exact a high personal cost, and we also extend our compassion and solidarity to those who must remain silent out of a legitimate fear of reprisals, especially those living under repressive regimes or forced to conceal their thoughts and identities. We commit to listening to and learning from those who have been marginalized, and we promise to build resilient local communities that provide a safe space for vulnerable voices, so that no one has to resist alone.
7. We defend democratic institutions and human rights frameworks. Personal resilience alone is not enough. For individuals to be effectively protected, they must come together and build structural defense mechanisms. We are committed to strengthening national humanist organizations and to continuously training and supporting humanist leaders. We are committed to utilizing and defending existing international human rights frameworks, the rule of law, and democratic processes to hold those who exercise power unchecked accountable. We are committed to reforming those institutions where they fail, particularly with regard to equal access and non-discrimination.
8. We call on humanists to act with courage and self-confidence in public. We must participate in democratic processes, defend secular institutions, publicly oppose chauvinistic nationalism, warmongering, misinformation, disinformation, and irrationality, and unequivocally advocate for human rights at the national and international levels.
We call on all member organizations of Humanists International to build and support open and outward-looking humanist communities, to empower their members to actively participate in society and democracy, to advocate for the strengthening of democratic institutions in their own countries, and to work together to translate the principles outlined here into practical, locally adaptable calls to action, so that all humanists, wherever they may be, can find a meaningful way to resist.
The original English version of the Ottawa Declaration is published by Humanists International .