Lodge Light of Africa, No. 233, Durban

What are the principles on which the Order operates?
 

The International Constitution of the Order begins with a Declaration of Principles.  The official version is in French, but the following is an unofficial paraphrase:
 

Article 1 – Foundation of the Order
The Order affirms the equality of men and women.
Through its title LE DROIT HUMAIN, the Order proclaims its desire that men and women throughout the world be entitled in equal measure to benefit from social justice within a humanity organised in free and fraternal societies.
 

Article 2 – Aim of the Order
Composed as it is of Freemasons, men and women fraternally united without distinction on grounds of social or ethnic origin, philosophical opinion or religion, and with this end in view, the Order prescribes a ceremonial and symbolic method of working by means of which its members build their temple to the progress and perfecting of humanity.
 

Article 3 – Principles of the Order
True to the principle of independence from all religious institutions and organisations (*) and respectful of the right to absolute freedom of conscience of all, the members of the Order seek to give concrete expression to the principles of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity and to realize on earth the greatest possible degree of moral, intellectual and spiritual development for all people, they believe this to be the prerequisite of happiness attainable by each individual in a fraternally organised humanity.
(*) Note from the Supreme Council: the word used in the French text is «laïcité».
 

Article 4 – Composition of the Order
The Order is organized into Federations, Jurisdictions and Pioneer Lodges within which Freemasons, who have taken an oath to abide by the International Constitution of LE DROIT HUMAIN, meet in lodges of all degrees that have been granted a charter by the Supreme Council of the Order.
 

Article 5 – Goals of the Order
The Order professes no dogma and rejects dogmatism. Its purpose is the search for truth. Thus, in lodges, discussions and debates on societal or religious questions cannot, under any circumstance, have any other purpose than that of enlightening members, making it possible for them, through a fuller understanding, to fulfil their duties as Freemasons.
 

Article 6 – Invocations
The Lodges of the Order work:
To the Glory of the Great Architect of the Universe
To the Progress of Humanity
To the Progress of Humanity and to the Glory of the Great Architect of the Universe
 To the Glory of the Great Architect of the Universe and to the Progress of Humanity
All of the Lodges of the Order open in the name and under the auspices of the Supreme Council for the International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women, Le Droit Humain.