We publish here the words with which Antonio Carvallo introduced today’s virtual assembly of the World Humanist Forum:
“The Forum is an ambit of exchange and discussion among humanists and likeminded people around the world to study and develop positions on the global problems affecting us all today. Attending to the structural relationships among the phenomena of science, politics, art and religion.
This work requires freedom of consciousness and freedom from ideological prejudice. To build a body of knowledge, and understanding of the global culture and main issues of our time, and their possible approaches and solutions, to gradually spread that understanding into the culture of the Universal Human Nation.
When we say culture, we mean the fundamental common values, needs and aspirations that all human beings necessarily share for the simple fact of being alive and living together in a deeply interconnected and interdependent world.
We are today in transit towards a Universal Human Culture
The complex phenomena and issues of the present world are not alien to any of us. We aim in the Forum to a permanent exchange of ideas and discussions amongst individuals and institutions from the widest possible spectrum of the world’s cultures. Laying out the foundation for a worldwide dialogue, incorporating of course the contributions made in the past by many currents of thought and action.
Here, we are virtually represented by participants from 49 countries and all continents, Africa, Asia Pacific, North Central and South America, and Europe. All aware and inspired with the project. As formulated by Silo over thirty years ago.
The Forum understands diversity as an asset, with the convergence of all streams of cultures, races, believes, languages, experiences and traditions. All these, indispensable part of a universal human nation where the common denominator is The Humaine.
Science and technology are universal; health and disease are universal; human rights are universal; freedom is a universal need, freedom of thought, of action… basic conditions of human living, food, housing, transport, security, services; knowledge and information, are a universal need; a peaceful, safe and happy social life; love, spiritual development, friendship, care for one another and enjoyment of life… are all universal necessities.
All human needs are universal and need to be satisfied by all. The wellbeing of all is the best security guarantee that humanity can aspire to.
In our shared vision and aspiration, we don’t want hegemons but multipolarity. We don’t want appropriation of nature’s resources by one country or group of them at the expense of the rest
Permanent competition against one another, greed, power over others, aggression and violence… these are not universal nor necessary but rather distortions, deformations of the humaine. Some cultures presently and in the past have encouraged these deformations in their populations spreading competitive aggression, divisions and conflict amongst peoples with the end of manipulating them, controlling them, pit them against one another seeking for instability, subordination, obedience and in the end exploitation.
We don’t want colonialism, or the imposition to all, of one’s creed or ideology.
We want a world of tolerance and compassion where The Golden Rule Prevails
Treat others as you like to be treated.
We have in common our humanity and the need to evolve into more advanced stages of civilization. We need to overcome violence within us and in society.
We must eliminate wars, and disarmament must be achieved. The ethics of non- violence must become part of the new universal culture.
To help establish the basis of that new culture that places the human being at its centre, as the main value, over and above power, money, ideology, religion, race, or any other values. Where no human being is above any other.
This forum is a decisive step in that direction.
Thanks!”
