The next open Assembly of the World Humanist Forum will be held virtually on Saturday, April 5.
Deliberations will begin at 10:00 a.m. in Argentina/Chile/Brazil, with the start time corresponding to 7:00 a.m. in Mexico/Central America and 9:00 a.m. in New York; 1:00 p.m. in several countries in French-speaking West Africa, 2:00 p.m. in Central Europe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; 3:00 p.m. in Mozambique and Egypt; 4:00 p.m. in Kenya, Uganda, and Moscow; 4:30 p.m. in Iran; 7:30 p.m. in India; 9:00 p.m. in the Philippines and Beijing; and 10:00 p.m. in Tokyo.
Among the main topics to be discussed are the current development and future work of the thirteen thematic roundtables that have begun their activities and the presentation of new working groups.
These roundtables aim to progressively establish themselves in an intercultural manner, facilitating exchange and helping to connect global issues with the local situations of each region. Making visible and deepening understanding of the relationships between seemingly dissimilar issues is one of the main tasks to be undertaken.
Among the issues already being addressed are the search for new educational frameworks inspired by humanism, as well as current perspectives and needs in prevention and health care as a universal right.
In the face of the persistence of colonialist tendencies and practices, the Decoloniality Roundtable is producing studies and dissemination materials on the current movements for change, while also insisting on overcoming the roots of discrimination—a topic addressed in its entirety by another roundtable—that persists, embedded in the foundation of anti-humanist values and social organization.
At the same time, the Human Rights Roundtable is advancing its evaluation of proposals to transform human rights from dead words, empty rhetoric, or interventionist excuses, into a beacon that guides societies toward a different future.
For their part, scholars and activists advocating for a new type of Economy at the Service of Human Beings are gathering at the respective thematic panel, raising the banner of Universal Basic Income as a fundamental pillar of the unrestricted right to well-being, equal opportunities, and progress for all.
3 The actions of the panel against Gender Violence have garnered widespread support in several East African nations, calling on women of different cultures to unite and act together to overcome this social scourge at this Assembly.
Similarly, possible ways to extend the call for Peace and Disarmament at this critical moment and to reclaim the fight for Social Ecology, urging each nation to review its harmful practices and make genuine commitments to curbing the dramatic impact of Climate Change will form the focus of the discussions at two other panels of the Forum.
In order to emphasize the revolutionary processes of an evolutionary tendency that are multiplying in today’s world and in search of signs of profound change, the Thematic Roundtable dedicated to Revolutions and Psychosocial Phenomena is studying the cases of the Sahel Confederation (AES), Mexican Humanism, the BRICS, the Bolivarian Revolution, and ALBA. It is also exploring the physical and mental Silk Roads, investigating the places of origin of the great religions, the border zones of empires and/or ancient empires, and the impact of Mountains that symbolize and shelter spiritual ascent.
Humanism in different cultures and the development of humanist moments is the central theme of the roundtable of the same name, while Peace in History and History in Peace is the evocative title of another thematic group.
Finally, a newly formed panel dedicated to the enormous difficulties faced by displaced populations due to war and armed conflict will work at this Assembly. In particular, humanist organizations and volunteers working on the ground will present and discuss possible solidarity actions for war refugees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A massive turnout is expected from all five continents, as previous Assemblies have garnered significant interest.
Any individual or organization is invited to actively participate in the World Humanist Forum, a space for permanent convergence between people and institutions from the world’s most diverse cultures. Participation is open under the condition that they do not foster discrimination or intolerance, nor promote or use violence as a method of action to impose concepts or ideals.
To participate in the next World Humanist Forum Assembly, register here
