The Sociedad Secular Humanista del Perú (Secular Humanist Society of Peru) is excited to share some uplifting news about our recent activities and renewed momentum, all made possible thanks to the generous support of Humanists International.
In 2024, amid a process of internal reorganization, our team remained committed to promoting secular humanist values through targeted, small-scale initiatives. One major boost came from a grant kindly approved by Humanists International to fund meetings for Young Humanists in Peru. Despite our ongoing restructuring, this grant allowed us to organize meaningful gatherings and educational experiences for young people interested in critical thinking and scientific reasoning.
The first part of the grant helped us host five sessions with students from the National University of San Marcos, the oldest and most prestigious public university in Peru. These meetings were not only intellectually enriching—they were also fun and engaging. We screened episodes from Cosmos, held open discussions, and organized activities that encouraged reflection on science, its philosophy, and its role in shaping a future free from supernatural thinking.
Books were gifted to participants, outstanding engagement was rewarded, and we covered basic operational costs like snacks, which created a relaxed atmosphere for open dialogue and deeper conversations about humanism. It was a promising step toward fostering a more reflective and rational youth movement.
In 2025, Humanists International sent the second part of the grant, just as our organization finalized its new leadership team. Although this new board hadn’t yet been formally announced, we were already preparing for a meaningful public comeback.
That opportunity came on May 18th, 2025, when we were invited by the College of Psychologists and the Universidad Peruana Los Andes to participate in a special event in Huancayo, a city nestled in the heart of the Peruvian Andes. This event, held in honor of Psychology Day, featured talks on science and philosophy—and for us, it became the perfect moment to relaunch the Sociedad Secular Humanista del Perú publicly.
Our speakers included:
Following these academic presentations, Piero Gayozzo officially introduced both our organization and Humanists International to an audience composed of psychologists and university students. The reception was overwhelmingly positive.
With part of the remaining grant, we proudly printed and gave to the assistants the first issue of the Humanist Bulletin, our new biannual publication designed to bring accessible, thought-provoking content on humanist themes to the general public. We also distributed previously published books—projects supported by Humanists International in past years—which further enriched the event.
This was more than just an event. It was a milestone. Reaching out to the interior regions of Peru, where religious beliefs remain dominant, is a vital step toward building a more conscious, critical, and compassionate society. The success of this event demonstrated the appetite for ideas grounded in evidence, ethics, and empathy.
We are deeply grateful to Humanists International for their trust and support, which have allowed us to reconnect with the public, reestablish our voice, and plant seeds of humanism in new places.
To other organizations around the world: yes, it’s possible—even with limited resources and during times of internal change—to spark curiosity, engage young minds, and build momentum for secular humanist values.
The Sociedad Secular Humanista del Perú is back, and we’re just getting started.
Together, we can build a future where reason, compassion, and human dignity lead the way.