Among the most significant paragraphs, the Icelandic humanist suggested mentally visualizing “people from all over the world coming together to share their feelings, their sorrows, their disappointments, their hopes, their desires, only for a happy life without anguish, misunderstanding, or suffering, for themselves and for those they care about.”
In another passage, he suggested that participants represent “how, with this human organization, with this human network of mutual intentions, people will be able to easily take control of their destiny, of their situation.”
“I imagine how people will take power easily, without violence or catastrophes… I visualize how people will open a new path, a new history, very different from that of humanity until now… I visualize the birth of a real human being…”, he added
Before inviting everyone to join in a minute of silence, he concluded the moving ceremony by saying: “I imagine a growing number of societies, cities, towns, neighborhoods, and streets where people have succeeded in changing the power structure and unlocking the future… I imagine a Universal Human Nation… I imagine a new future… I imagine the people… I imagine a bright, transformed, and humane world… I take this message to all the people I care about, to all the people I know, and to all those I don’t know but will come to know, and to everyone in between…”
The sessions then began at 16 thematic roundtables, two of which began their work at this Assembly.
In the presentation of the Personal Development Roundtable, its coordinator, Antonio Carvallo, pointed out that while “human beings are good at gradually understanding the secrets and complexities of the outside world and adapting to it, the paradox is that the world of the soul, of the spirit, of suffering and joy—the world of the psychological—is hidden in many ways from human perception. As a result, we are ignorant and limited in our response to this realm of existence, where most of our suffering and, therefore, our violence originate before spilling over into the outside world.”
The Chilean activist, who accompanied the growth of the Humanist Movement alongside its founder Silo from its very beginnings in the 1960s, explained that “the proposed studies allow us to gain a new perspective on ourselves, a new understanding, and therefore the possibility of ‘discovering’ and overcoming significant difficulties in our daily lives. Working on our self–development while helping others do the same gives new meaning, energy, and empowerment to our lives.”
For his part, Indian lawyer Meyyappan Easwaramoorthi addressed a topic of crucial significance when introducing the Roundtable on Genocide.
“The definition of the term Genocide must be expanded,” he said, “to recognize even the killing of a single person simply for belonging to a particular ethnic race, speaking a particular language, or following a particular path, since Genocide aims to eliminate a particular group of people from the face of the earth, and must therefore be treated as the mother of all crimes to facilitate the identification, reporting, and punishment of any act of genocide committed by any entity in the general interest of humanity.”
As an imperative to avoid current genocides like the one in Gaza and prevent similar tragedies in the future, the Humanist Party of India activist urged “debating and deciding with conviction to do everything in our power to define, identify, and most importantly, Stop the genocide!”, which prompted a heartfelt collective assent from the Assembly.
Following the work of the Roundtables, their coordinators reported to the plenary on the research, productions, and actions to be undertaken on each topic in the immediate future.
Among the many initiatives underway, the exchange of educational experiences between different countries and the creation of alert mechanisms for gender–based violence were mentioned, along with prevention work with communities around the world.
In the field of Peace and Disarmament, the priority is to consolidate a culture of peace, beginning in each personal and collective setting by affirming personal coherence and the universal Golden Rule, treating others as we would expect.
The Social Ecology, Economy, and Climate Change Roundtable will focus on expanding its network, working with various groups, while also organizing discussions to clarify and deepen its field.
Identifying the various health problems in each geographic region and formulating comprehensive proposals for addressing them will be the Health Board’s primary task.
The publication of material with foundations for giving a humanistic perspective to economics, as well as the support and monitoring of potential demonstration effects in the implementation of Universal Basic Income, constitute the core of the joint action of the respective thematic roundtable.
In parallel, the Human Rights Roundtable will continue working on the humanistic expansion of the very concept of Human Rights, in an effort not only to achieve renewed definitions, but also to denounce their flagrant violations and support all efforts in their defense.
The Universal Human Nation Roundtable/World Citizens’ Assembly launched a consultation at the forum on possible new collective decision–making systems and political reorganization, proposing the progressive, grassroots formation of a World Citizens’ Assembly, to be presented to the United Nations.
In connection with various phenomena unfolding in the field of psychosocial revolutions around the world, the thematic panel of the same name will continue to study and disseminate these experiences, attempting to uncover their spiritual connections.
In a similar vein, the De–Colonialism Roundtable will support the powerful momentum that today leads entire peoples to rightfully demand an end to all forms of plunder, to demand reparations, genuine self–determination, and increasing equity in development, while simultaneously abandoning mentalities that favor the continuation of colonialism within different societies.
The Assembly attended a presentation of the important work being carried out in Kenya with children, youth, and senior citizens by the promoters of the Sports and Art Roundtable for Peace and Development. Likewise, from Colombia and Mexico, spokespersons for the Roundtable “Peace in History and the History of Peace,” along with participating in various events, announced the launch of a permanent online radio station on the topic.
Meanwhile, the research, seminars, and public outreach activities of the “Humanist Attitudes and Moments in Different Cultures” Roundtable will continue. The panel has already been developing a very intensive outreach program.
Among other proposals that emerged at the Assembly, one that stands out is promoting a daily minute of silence worldwide to connect with the imperative task of humanizing the Earth.
From the Genocide group, the proposed project is to generate multiple activities in solidarity with the attacked Palestinian population and to coordinate with similar movements to pressure for an end to the ongoing mass murder and ethnic cleansing.
In this regard, we reproduce, as a closing commentary, the subsequent reflection of Mahadia Dalal Elfranji, a Palestinian artist currently a refugee in the Philippines, who participated in the Assembly.
“As a Palestinian–Filipino educator, artist, and peace advocate, this discussion wasn’t abstract for me. It touched the very core of my identity and my work. I carry the weight of loss, but also a commitment to hope and justice. In my teaching, painting, and organizing, I have always believed that healing and resilience are intertwined. This panel reaffirmed that belief.
It reminded me that collective reflection is not a luxury, but an act of resistance in itself.” I saw a shared understanding among my fellow group members: that solidarity must be principled, not performative. We cannot afford to wait. The forum has the power to shape global narratives and influence action. We must be bold in our commitments and clear in our demands.
I also want to express my deep gratitude to the Indian organizers, who demonstrated unwavering solidarity, compassion, and moral clarity. Their presence and consistent support served as a reminder that Palestine is not alone, that people of conscience across the Global South are united in this struggle. The empathy and courage they brought to the space reflect the very essence of what it means to be peacebuilders rooted in justice.
The simplest and most urgent request remains: stop the genocide. Everything else is a scaffolding toward that goal. Our debate did not end with words; it left each of us with a mandate. May we carry it forward with integrity, courage, and unwavering love for those who resist with their lives and for those who amplify their cry for justice.
