The Ottawa Declaration on Humanism as Resistance

The World Humanist Congress, meeting in Ottawa, Canada, in 2026, declares:

1. Humanism is not just a set of values but an active approach to life. We reaffirm the progressive and optimistic vision of our Amsterdam Declaration: that every human has the right to the greatest possible freedom compatible with the rights of others. But human progress is not automatic or inevitable. In times of global challenges and global insecurity, humanists need to not just imagine a better future, but to act. We must defend the foundations that make a better future possible and resist the forces that undermine that vision.
2. We stand against the global resurgence of authoritarianism and warmongering. We reject the extreme nationalism and demagoguery that together threaten peace and stability in every part of the world. And we stand united against encroaching limits on the right to freedom of thought and expression, including through weaponization of police action, the rise of political intimidation, and the escalation of state censorship to silence humanists and other human rights defenders.
3. We stand against the normalizing of hate and dehumanization. Dehumanization consistently paves the way for discrimination, persecution, and mass atrocities by making the suffering of other people appear to be acceptable or deserved. It  is the precursor to most violations of human rights. We fiercely oppose the resurgence of irrationality, science-denial, and the deliberate spread of misinformation and hate that poisons public discourse. We condemn racism, xenophobia, and the incitement of hatred and of violence against minority groups, often cynically justified in the name of religious freedom, and remind all institutions and the people within them that every human life possesses equal and inherent value.
4. We stand against the erosion of dignity by new technologies. We urge governments to guard against the development of technological systems which lack human empathy or amplify discrimination through bias. All forms of technology must remain accountable to human beings and aligned with human dignity, empathy, democratic oversight, and our ethical responsibilities. We commit to protecting our inner lives and the right to privacy from digital surveillance, whether from governments or private corporations.
5. We affirm the power of individual agency. Resistance begins with the recognition that all people possess an innate capacity to shape a more just future. By embracing the universal ethical norms enshrined in international human rights treaties and declarations and by practising active critical thinking, all people can develop greater individual agency and shared capacity to organize and challenge oppression. We champion moral education and rational inquiry alongside the cultivation of radical hope as a deliberate, strategic act of defiance against the despair upon which demagogues rely.
6. We commit to compassionate solidarity. Authoritarianism thrives on isolation; humanism thrives on connection. We recognize that the burden of advocacy can exact a heavy personal toll on human rights defenders and we also extend our empathy and solidarity to those who must remain silent out of a justifiable fear of reprisal, particularly 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 pledge to build resilient grassroots communities that provide safe havens for vulnerable voices so 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, individuals must join forces to build systemic defenses. We commit to strengthening national humanist organisations and to ongoing training and support for humanist leaders. We pledge to use and defend existing international human rights frameworks, the rule of law, and democratic processes to hold unchecked power to account. We commit to reforming those institutions where they are failing, particularly in terms of equitable access and non-discrimination.
8. We call for humanists to step up in the public square with courage and confidence. We must engage in democratic processes; defend secular institutions; publicly challenge chauvinistic nationalism, warmongering, misinformation, disinformation, and irrationality; and unapologetically advocate for human rights on both the national and international stage. 

We call on all Humanists International Members to build and support open and outward-facing humanist communities; educate their members for active citizenship; work to strengthen democratic institutions in their own nations; and work collaboratively to transform the principles expressed here into practical, locally adaptable calls to action, so that every humanist, wherever they are, can find a meaningful way to resist.

Suggested academic reference

'The Ottawa Declaration on Humanism as Resistance', Humanists International, World Humanist Congress, Ottawa, Canada, 2026