Humanist Canada to co-host with Humanists International in Ottawa, August 7–9, 2026
Humanist Canada is pleased to announce that the 2026 World Humanist Congress will be held in Ottawa, Ontario, from August 7 to 9, 2026, in partnership with Humanists International.
Originally planned for Washington, D.C., it has been relocated to Canada in response to the increasingly hostile political and human rights climate in the United States. Concerns over rising religious nationalism, the erosion of secularism, and accessibility—especially for participants from the Global South—led our colleagues at American Atheists to make the difficult yet principled decision to step down as hosts.
Humanist Canada is honoured to co-host this international gathering. We are deeply grateful for the trust placed in us by Humanists International. In partnership, we are committed to delivering a Congress that reflects the best of Canada’s rights-affirming values and embodies the Humanist principles of freedom, reason, dignity, and compassion.
In these uncertain times, the World Humanist Congress will provide a vital space for our global community to connect, collaborate, and reaffirm our shared commitment to humanist values. It will be a moment to learn, to strategize, and to inspire one another as we collectively advocate for a more just, secular, and humane world.
We look forward to welcoming humanists from every corner of the world to Ottawa in 2026. Together, let’s create a Congress that will stand as a beacon of solidarity, inclusion, and humanist hope.
– The Humanist Canada Team
