Amsterdam Declaration
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{{Humanism}}
The '''Amsterdam Declaration 2002''' is a statement of the fundamental principles of modern [[Humanism (life stance)|Humanism]] passed unanimously by the General Assembly of the [[International Humanist and Ethical Union]] (IHEU) at the 50th anniversary World Humanist Congress in 2002. According to the IHEU, the declaration "is the official statement of World Humanism."
It is officially supported by all member organisations of the IHEU including:
*[[American Humanist Association]]
*[[British Humanist Association]]
*[[Council of Australian Humanist Societies]]
*[[Council for Secular Humanism]]
*[[Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association]]
*[[Human-Etisk Forbund]], the Norwegian Humanist Association
*[[Humanist Association of Canada]]
*[[Humanist Association of Ireland]]
*[[Indian Humanist Union]]
A complete list of signatories can be found on the [[IHEU]] page (see references).
This declaration makes exclusive use of capitalized ''Humanist'' and ''Humanism'', which is consistent with IHEU's general practice and recommendations for promoting a unified Humanist identity. {{ref|Webbs}} To further promote Humanist identity, these words are also free of any adjectives, as recommended by prominent members of IHEU. {{ref|Blackham}} Such usage is not universal among IHEU member organizations, though most of them do observe these conventions.
==Summary of Humanist principles==
''(see References for complete text)''
The fundamentals of modern Humanism are as follows:
*Humanism is [[ethical]].
*Humanism is [[rational]].
*Humanism supports [[democracy]] and [[human rights]].
*Humanism insists that [[personal liberty]] must be combined with [[social responsibility]].
*Humanism is a response to the widespread demand for an alternative to [[dogma|dogmatic]] [[religion]].
*Humanism values artistic [[creativity]] and [[imagination]] and recognises the transforming power of [[art]].
*Humanism is a [[lifestance]] aiming at the maximum possible fulfilment through the cultivation of ethical and creative living.
The Amsterdam Declaration explicitly states that Humanism rejects [[dogma]], and imposes no creed upon its adherents.
==History==
At the first [[World Humanist Congress]] in the Netherlands in [[1952]], the IHEU general assembly agreed a statement of the fundamental principles of modern Humanism - '''The Amsterdam Declaration'''.
At the 50th anniversary World Humanist Congress in [[2002]], the IHEU general assembly unanimously passed a [[Resolution (law)|resolution]] updating that declaration - "The Amsterdam Declaration 2002".
==See also==
[[Major world religions]] - [[Humanists]], [[rationalism|rationalists]], [[atheists]] and [[agnostics]] rank third in world (combined)
==References==
[http://www.iheu.org/adamdecl.htm Amsterdam Declaration 2002] - the IHEU general assembly unanimous resolution
==Notes==
#{{note|Webbs}}"Capitalization <nowiki>[</nowiki>of ''Humanism''<nowiki>]</nowiki> is not mandatory... It is recommended usage and the normal usage within IHEU"—Jeremy Webbs, IHEU webmaster, from a response to a Wikipedia editor inquiry, dated 2 March, 2006.
#{{note|Blackham}} ''[http://www.iheu.org/node/180 Humanism is Eight Letters, No More]''—endorsed by [[Harold John Blackham]], Levi Fragell, [[Corliss Lamont]], Harry Stopes-Roe and Rob Tielman.
[[Category:Humanism]]
[[Category:Secularism]]
[[Category:2002]]
[[fi:Amsterdamin julistus]]