Under the title ‘Overcoming the crisis and global uncertainty: humanity in action’, the IV Open Assembly of the World Humanist Forum will take place on 24th and 25th January 2026.
The central theme of this Assembly aims to reflect both the difficulties faced today by communities across the globe and the faith in humanity’s ability to find new directions. ‘Humanity in action’ is a clear invitation not to remain stuck in discourse or debate, but to act collectively and decisively.
The term ‘global crisis and uncertainty’ refers both to the current situation facing the world in its various spheres and to what individuals and peoples feel inside. The first day of this Fourth Assembly will open up the essential space for dialogue and finding a common horizon that supports action in a time of confusion and social discouragement.
Reports will also be presented on notable activities promoted by the World Humanist Forum. A summary will be presented of the achievements of the East African Humanist Seminar, which took place in Eldoret, Kenya, between 15 and 22 August, with the participation of delegations from Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and various regions of the host country. In the same sense, the conclusions of the International Forum ‘Can generational movements end systemic corruption?’ will be shared. This forum was supported by various universities and academics from the Philippines and Indonesia, as well as contributions from humanist activists from Nepal.
The Assembly will devote the second day of this fourth world meeting to outlining proposals and actions in some twenty thematic round tables in which people from different cultures will participate.
These thematic round tables, several of which are already operating on a sustained basis, cover key issues such as peace and disarmament, health, education, the fight against gender violence, the real situation of human rights, but also the fight against climate disasters, threats to democracy, deepening inequality, violent conflicts, forced population displacement and the demand for good governance.
The economy and universal basic income, the proposal for a World Citizens’ Assembly, sport as a tool for peace and development, the still pending need for decolonisation, the history of peace, the study and promotion of humanistic attitudes in different cultures, together with research into developing revolutionary psychosocial and spiritual phenomena, are part of the wide range of topics to be addressed at the various round tables.
A distinctive feature of the humanist methodology of simultaneous social and personal transformation are the practices and conceptual references that have been developed in the Internal Development thematic table, initiated at the previous Assembly.
A new feature of this Assembly will be the launch of a Thematic Table dedicated to Music, Art and Culture as essential vehicles for promoting Peace and Nonviolence.
On both days, the sessions will begin at 10 a.m. (Argentina/Chile/Brazil time zone). The corresponding times for any location in the world can be verified here.
Although the Assembly will be predominantly virtual, thus facilitating communication between distant points on the planet, the organisers suggest inviting nearby communities to meet in person and connect to the meeting from the same connection node.
The World Humanist Forum, which arose from a proposal by the thinker and activist Silo, met for the first time in Moscow in 1993 and aims to study and develop positions on the global problems affecting the world today from a structural and dynamic perspective.
In this way, the Forum aspires to become an instrument of information, exchange, dialogue, and action among people, movements, and institutions from the most diverse cultures in the world. Unlike summits and events whose effects often fade away within a few days, the World Humanist Forum is a permanent activity.
The invitation of the IV Assembly is to share that activist energy, strengthen convergence and deepen the sense of possibility through the examples and proposals of communities, movements, and individuals who are actively creating solutions.
In short, the idea is to rescue and unite the best of each individual and of Humanity as a whole in this complex stage of history.
Participation in the World Humanist Forum Assembly is open to any person or organisation, with the sole condition that they do not promote or support violent or discriminatory attitudes.
To register and receive the link to the virtual platform, click here.
To propose new thematic panels or for further information or queries, please write to the World Humanist Forum at info@worldhumanistforum.org