In 1952, at the first World Humanist Congress, the founders of Humanists International agreed on a statement of the fundamental principles of modern Humanism. They called it “The Amsterdam Declaration”

Download the Amsterdam Declaration as a PDF here:

History of the Amsterdam Declaration

The Amsterdam Declaration of 1952 was a child of its time, set in the world of great power politics and the Cold War, it asserted that “humanists have confidence that the present crisis can be surmounted”. 

As befits the nature of humanism – friendly to evolution, opposed to dogma – the statement was updated in 2002 and most recently in 2022, to reflect the modern realities of the times.

In 2002, at the 50th anniversary World Humanist Congress in the Netherlands, Members of the the International Humanist and Ethical Union (as the organization was then called) agreed upon the Amsterdam Declaration 2002. It became the official defining statement of World Humanism until 2022.

In 2022, at the 70th anniversary World Humanist Congress in Glasgow, Members and Associates of Humanists International once again reviewed and democratically agreed upon an update to the statement; The Amsterdam Declaration 2022. This new statement now serves as our definitive guiding principles.

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