International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU)

History and development

IHEU was founded in Amsterdam in 1952 as a response to the need for international coordination among non-religious and ethical movements emerging after World War II. Over the decades it grew into a global network linking organisations in many countries. In the late 2010s the organisation adopted a simpler public name — Humanists International — while retaining its role as a focal point for the international humanist movement. The Amsterdam founding is a frequently cited origin point in accounts of its early history; for the founding location see Amsterdam.

Activities and aims

IHEU's principal aims are to defend freedom of thought and conscience, advance human rights, and promote secular governance. Typical activities include:

• advocacy and public statements on human rights and freedom of belief;
• support and capacity building for national member organisations;
• organising conferences, meetings and campaigns to coordinate international action;
• research, publications and visibility-raising for issues affecting non-religious people.

International engagement

The organisation engages with international institutions to represent the perspectives of humanist constituencies. Its representatives and member organisations participate in international fora, contributing to discussions on freedom of religion or belief, discrimination, and related human-rights topics. IHEU has a long record of interaction with bodies of the United Nations and other global agencies and enters policy dialogues on matters affecting secularism and conscience; see more about such engagement with the United Nations.

Structure, membership and notable facts

IHEU is structured as a membership federation composed of national and regional organisations as well as individual supporters in countries where no national group exists. It operates through elected officers, committees, and working groups that focus on areas such as human rights, education, and public affairs. Notable aspects include its role as a unifying voice for non-theistic perspectives worldwide and its emphasis on evidence-based ethics and civic cooperation rather than adherence to religious doctrines.

Distinctions and significance

Unlike religious international bodies, IHEU centres ethics on human well-being without appeal to supernatural authority. Its work matters in debates over secular law, conscientious freedom, and the rights of non-religious minorities. By facilitating collaboration among diverse national organisations, it amplifies concerns that might otherwise be marginalised in international policy debates.